Youngstown Area Jewish Federation condemns anti-Israel graffiti in parking garage near JCC

YOUNGSTOWN The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation has released a statement condemning anti-Israel graffiti in a parking garage near the Jewish Community Center.

Pictures sent to 21 News by the Jewish Federation show graffiti spray-painted in a parking garage on Gypsy Lane with messages including "f**k [Benjamin] Netanyahu" and "Israel killed JFK."

Additionally, the Jewish Federation noted similar graffiti spray-painted on a sign in the City of Columbiana, but it is unclear where in Columbiana that sign is.

Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Director of Communications and Marketing Elise Skolnick says imagery like this promotes hatred and discrimination of Jewish people and could potentially incite violence.

"There is no place for such imagery in our society, regardless of political beliefs. ... Antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed in recent years. It must end now," Skolnick said.

Skolnick says the owners of the sign, as well as the parking deck are working with police to resolve the matters and capture the perpetrators.

According to the statement, a suspect in the Columbiana case has been taken into custody on an unrelated charge, and charges related to the graffiti are pending.

Jewish Federation security staff is reviewing and sharing camera footage with the Youngstown Police Department to identify the suspects in the Youngstown case.

The Jewish Federation says there is no evidence of any credible threats at this time.