New York officials have condemned what they describe as a 'disgusting act' after a flag bearing swastikas and the Star of David was raised above a building overlooking Washington Square Park at New York University (NYU) on Wednesday afternoon.
Incident Details
The flag, which featured two swastikas alongside the Jewish Star of David and the NYU logo, was spotted flying above the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development during the university's annual Grad Alley graduation week party. Campus administrators noticed the display on Wednesday evening, prompting calls to campus security and the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The modified flag appeared to alter an existing NYU banner to resemble the blue-and-white striped flag of Israel. University officials acted swiftly to remove the display shortly after it was reported.
Official Reactions
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed outrage on social media. 'I am outraged that a swastika flag was raised overlooking Washington Square Park,' he wrote on X on Thursday. 'This hateful antisemitic act was meant to spread fear among and intimidate Jewish New Yorkers. It has no place in our city.'
Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the incident. 'We are in close contact with NYU and have offered assistance to the NYPD as they investigate this disgusting act,' she stated. 'Antisemitism has no place in our state, on our campuses, or in our communities.'
Community Response
Adina Fridman, president of NYU Hillel, issued a statement to the campus newspaper Washington Square News, which first reported the incident. 'Symbols tied to the genocide of millions of Jews carry profound pain and trauma, and their use has no place in a campus community that values dignity, safety, and respectful dialogue,' she wrote. 'I appreciate the swift response of the university in removing the display shortly after it was reported and for taking the incident seriously.'
An NYU spokesperson expressed shock and deep concern. 'We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing antisemitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park,' the spokesperson said. 'Campus safety responded immediately to remove it, and we are working closely with the N.Y.P.D. to identify whoever is responsible.'
Investigation
The NYPD confirmed that no arrests have been made yet. 'There are no arrests at this time, and the NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating this incident,' the department told The Independent. The flag flew above the Steinhardt School, named for Michael and Judy Steinhardt, prominent Jewish philanthropists. Michael Steinhardt, a billionaire former Wall Street investor, co-founded Birthright Israel, a program that provides free trips to Israel for Jewish youth.
The Independent has reached out to the Steinhardts' foundation for comment.
Context
NYU, like its Manhattan neighbor Columbia University, has been a site of prominent pro-Palestine protests in recent years during the Israel-Hamas war. Jewish students at both campuses have faced antisemitic harassment and vandalism. Critics and international observers have accused Israel of carrying out a genocide in Gaza during the war, a charge Israel denies.
