In just over a fortnight, three members of Congress have had their district office vandalized by pro-Palestinian graffiti amid escalating threats and protests.
This is part of the sharp increase in political tensions surrounding Israel’s war with Hamas, as lawmakers begin to express their concerns about violent protest tactics directed at them.
Axios reported that a staffer of Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. discovered on Friday the defacement of Goldman’s New York City offices with pro-Palestinian messages including “BLOOD UR HANDS”.
The footage from the security cameras showed two individuals, who covered up the cameras and hid their faces. Their identities are still unknown. Goldman’s Office filed a report with the police and is currently investigating.
Goldman was a Jew who lived in Israel with his family and took shelter from the Hamas missiles during Oct. 7, attack. He called President Biden on Thursday to deal with the violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Goldman’s spokesperson Simone Kanter told Axios that “harassing and intimidating staff members of Jewish elected officials at a period of increasing violence and antisemitism” is unacceptable.
Goldman’s vandalism sparked a swift reaction from New York Democrats. This included several prominent progressives, who have a strong affinity for the Palestinian cause.
In a statement, more than 12 House Democrats in New York condemned the vandalism that was discovered at Representative Dan Goldman’s district office this morning.
While everyone is entitled to protest peacefully and to make their voices heard under the first amendment, this right must not be used to intimidate staff or engage in criminal conduct.
Reps. Jamaal bowman, Nydia velazquez and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez were among the signers. All three have supported a ceasefire during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
This incident follows the defacing of Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.’s) office on Tuesday by vandals who spray painted “HEINRICH, STOP THE GENOCIDE”, “FREE PALESTINE”, and other graffiti on its windows and doors.
Senator Heinrich respects and supports the right of New Mexicans to protest peacefully, which is guaranteed under the First Amendment. Heinrich is committed to the right of his staff to work in an environment that’s safe, according to a spokesperson for Axios.
There are several ways you can exercise your First Amendment right. Vandalism isn’t one of those ways.
Last week, Rep. Monica De La Cruz’s district office was graffitied “ISRAEL KILLS JESUS TOO”. The police are looking into that incident.
These incidents are in line with the protests on Wednesday, when pro-Palestinian activists tried to close the door to the Democratic National Committee HQ with several House Democrats present.
Axios reported that lawmakers present at the event and those who were not told afterwards by Axios about the attack said it was a sign of the increasing unease they felt in terms of security since the October 7th attacks.
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