The Princeton Police Department has stepped up patrols of the town’s Jewish Center on Nassau Street. The shift comes in the wake of half a dozen reported incidents of graffiti around town beginning in mid-August that are being investigated as “bias intimidation incidents.”
The first incidents of graffiti were both reported on Aug. 15 in two separate public parks — one on Mountain Avenue and one on Snowden Lane. The former involved the defacement of two buildings which read “Death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces; “Global Intifada;” and “Feed Gaza.” In the latter, statements expressing similar sentiments — “Death to the IDF! Global Intifada” and “From the River to the Sea” — were painted in white on restroom doors.
Three subsequent incidents in late August also involved the usage of a white paint pen, took place in public parks, and included similar messages; additional graffiti at a private residence on Linwood Circle was also reported on Aug. 28. Like the other reports, the graffiti read “Death to the IDF! Free Gaza!” and was painted on a fence in what “appeared to be white paint,” according to Princeton town police.
“All of these investigations remain active, [and] our detective bureau is following up on any possible leads,” said Captain Matthew Solovay of the Princeton Police Department in an interview with The Daily Princetonian. He also confirmed that patrols around parks and the Jewish Center had increased.
He noted that it was “hard to say” if the incidents are related, but admitted they “share similar attributes,” noting the white paint used to vandalize public parks in several instances.
“Anytime any kind of activity like this occurs in town, we understand that ethnic groups will be concerned or alarmed, and we remain in communication with them,” Solovay added.
In early September, the Jewish Center of Princeton sent a letter to Mayor Mark Freda expressing worry about the incidents. Freda said at a Sept. 8 Town Council meeting that Princeton town police had reported the incident to the county prosecutor and state officials.
“The Police Department has also met with representatives from the Jewish Center to hear their concerns and outline the steps the Department is taking to address the situation,” he said.
The Princeton Jewish Center on Nassau Street did not reply to requests for comment in time for publication.
Rare instances of graffiti have also occurred on Princeton’s campus. Last fall, University police investigated stickers around campus reading “Death to Israel” and “Tel Aviv will burn,” alongside a separate incident of flyers near Spelman Hall reading “Nuke Gaza” and “Kill Roaches.”
“Hateful and antisemitic graffiti in our town is profoundly problematic,” Rabbi Gil Steinlauf ’91 of the University-affiliated Center for Jewish Life wrote in response to the recent graffiti reports. “These acts are deeply troubling, not only to Jewish students and community members, but to the values of respect and dignity that should define our society.”
Steinlauf added that he had “every confidence” in the police department’s ability to resolve the issue and “preserve the safety” of Princeton’s Jewish community.
Zach Goldberg ’28, a progressive organizer on campus, told the ‘Prince’ that he believed the graffiti was emblematic of how “contentious” geopolitical issues have become.
Goldberg clarified that while he did not personally agree with statements calling for “Death to the IDF” or “Death to Israel,” he could see why “people would feel like they have to take some kind of action.”
“I would argue it ought not to be classified as bias or a hate crime,” Goldberg told the ‘Prince.’ “I think as long as this messaging is steering clear of direct antisemitism, we cannot conflate dissent towards the Israeli state with anti-Jewish sentiment,” he added.
Leela Hensler is a staff News writer and Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
‘300 Paintings’ delivers an equally hilarious and human commentary on artistry, mental health, and self-acceptance
Gavin McLoughlinHead Editor for The Prospect Gavin McLoughlin reviews “300 Paintings,” an absurd, intimate, yet wildly funny performance at McCarter.
Head Editor for The Prospect Gavin McLoughlin reviews “300 Paintings,” an absurd, intimate, yet wildly funny performance at McCarter.
Jhumpa Lahiri debuts new work at art museum opening
Oliver WuFormer creative writing professor Jhumpa Lahiri presented two of her works at the Art Museum, marking the 19th hour of the museum’s 24-hour opening event.
Former creative writing professor Jhumpa Lahiri presented two of her works at the Art Museum, marking the 19th hour of the museum’s 24-hour opening event.
Among 208 new courses this spring, seven involve the new art museum: four takeaways from course offerings
Summer BoschThe University released the course offerings for Spring 2026 this Thursday, October 30. The Daily Princetonian broke down the 1,428 classes that will be offered this spring — a decrease of 27 courses compared to Spring 2025. Here are our four takeaways.