San Francisco Hillel building defaced with 'Khaybar' graffiti

The Hillel House at San Francisco State University was vandalized with slogans invoking Islamic war against Jews and anti-Western symbols, according to Hillel and the Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area.

The San Francisco Hillel discovered early on Monday that the building had been vandalized with the word “Khaybar,” a Saudi Arabian oasis where Mohammed led his followers in a war against Jews that ultimately resulted in massacres and expulsions.

The chant “Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Mohammed will return” is commonly heard at anti-Israel protests and is seen by many as a threat of violence against Jews.

Under the word “Khaybar,” the building was marked with a Soviet hammer and sickle and the anarchist “A.”

“Death to Western imperialism” was scrawled on the house’s garage, according to photographs shared by JCRC.

The vandals had also attempted to forcibly enter the building, Hillel said.

Last night, the @SFHillel House, a block from the @SFSU campus, was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, and the perpetrators attempted to break in.The graffiti referenced 'Khaybar,' a historic region in 7th-century Arabia where a battle between Muslims and Jews resulted in… pic.twitter.com/pWFGAegPv4

— JCRC Bay Area (@SFJCRC) December 9, 2024

The San Francisco and SFSU Police responded to the incident, and the SFSU administration had aided in removing the graffiti, said Hillel.

“This type of antisemitic vandalism and property damage to our building, the center of Jewish life for students at nine San Francisco area schools, is deeply upsetting to our campus community,” Hillel said. “When so many of our students struggle with basic needs and want a warm, safe community, it is a stark reminder that we must remain vigilant. For our students, parents, alumni, and community members, please know that we are here for you.

“There is no room for hate or antisemitism of any kind on college campuses or directed toward organizations that serve Jewish students. San Francisco Hillel is committed to working with university leadership to ensure that our building and campus always remain safe and welcoming places for Jewish students.”

Will San Francisco stand against hate?

San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie decried the “antisemitic vandalism on X/Twitter, calling for the city “to stand united against hate in all forms and work to ensure every resident feels safe.” He added, “Hillel is a vital community hub for students across our city.”

Anti-Defamation League Central Pacific regional director Marc Levine said that the organization was incensed and that targeting Hillel in such a way was “nothing short of antisemitic.”

“This incident is a reminder that our work to counter antisemitism on college campuses is far from over,” Levine said.

Students disturbed by the Monday incident were urged by Hillel to utilize mental health services through the Jewish Family and Children’s Services.