Swastika Spray-Painted in Haredi-Heavy New York Suburb

By JTA September 9, 2014

Police are investigating an incident of anti-Semitic vandalism in a Rockland County, N.Y., community with a large haredi Orthodox population.

The graffiti, consisting of a swastika and the words “Hail Hitler” spray-painted inside a Jewish star were found on a sidewalk Sunday in the town of Spring Valley, The Associated Press reported.

Rabbi Yisroel Kahan, a local rabbi, told AP he suspects that poorly educated teenagers are responsible for the vandalism, pointing to the misspelling of the Nazi slogan. Some residents reported seeing two teenagers on skateboards over the weekend near the graffiti, radio station WCBS reported.

In July, there were two incidents of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti in nearby Pearl River.

Rockland County is approximately 50 miles north of New York City.

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