Pennsylvania's Swarthmore College sees 'hundreds of acts' of anti Israel vandalism

Swarthmore College is grappling with a significant wave of vandalism, with hundreds of anti-Israel slogans and symbols spray-painted across campus buildings, trees, fences, and walkways. The extensive and widespread nature of the damage, which occurred within a mere 30-minute window, has left college staff facing a daunting cleanup effort that could take days, and in some cases, may be irreparable for an extended period.

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I am as disappointed as I am angry at these criminal acts of cowardice. These six or so individuals, who made their way across campus in the dead of night while fully disguised, chose to violate not just our policies and the law, but our sense of community.

College President Val Smith expressed profound disappointment and anger, denouncing the acts as "criminal acts of cowardice." She asserted that while the anger directed at the college may stem from the ongoing violence in the Middle East, it is misplaced and ill-informed. Smith emphasized that such destructive actions, allegedly carried out by a small group of disguised individuals, serve no productive purpose and do not advance any cause or conversation, despite potentially aiming to embarrass the institution and gain social media attention.

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I know that the ongoing violence in the Middle East continues to take an incalculable toll on members of our community, just as it does for individuals across the world. But the anger directed at the college is misplaced and ill-informed. While actions like those that occurred overnight may be designed to embarrass Swarthmore and generate views on social media, they serve no real productive purpose. They do not advance any cause or conversation.

The vandalism also targeted the college's Board of Managers, with graffiti labeling them "Board of butchers." This appears to be linked to Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine's ongoing campaign against the board, which they accuse of investing the college's endowment in companies with ties to Israel and refusing to divest. The college administration has pledged swift disciplinary action, including potential suspension, for any students identified among the vandals, underscoring their commitment to maintaining campus policies and community standards.

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BOM U [sic] can’t hide. Board of butchers.