Los Angeles police have launched an investigation after vandals targeted the Israeli-American Council’s (IAC) national headquarters over the weekend.
Officials confirmed that vandals struck the Shepherd Community Center on Winnetka Avenue, which serves as both the IAC’s national headquarters and a hub for local Israeli-American and Jewish community programming. Among the hateful messages discovered was “F— Jews, BDS” scrawled alongside a yellow swastika and the letters “SS” directly on the sidewalk outside the main entrance.
“We are appalled by this vile act of antisemitism at the doorstep of our own community and offices,” Elan S. Carr, CEO of the Israeli-American Council and former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, told KTLA. “Around the world and across our country, we have seen an alarming and historic rise in antisemitism. We are working tirelessly to fight it and to ensure that history does not repeat itself.”
Rather than backing down, Carr said the organization would double down on its mission.
“This incident will not intimidate or deter us — on the contrary, it fuels our determination to stand even stronger against antisemitism and to protect and strengthen our community for generations to come.”
The perpetrators also defaced a cardboard snowman at the entrance and targeted barriers near the Highway 101 freeway entrance. Police have not released details about potential motives or whether they’re investigating connections to other incidents in the Los Angeles area.
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