- German-language graffiti calling for the death of all Jews was left in the Naturally Good store and café in Montauk
- Another swastika was painted on a food truck on Ditch Plains beach
- It is the latest indicator of rising anti-Semitism in New York and its enclaves
A health food store and beach food carts in the trendy resort town of Montauk were defaced with swastikas last night in the latest example of anti-Semitism to hit New York and its trendy enclaves since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Swastikas were spray-painted with black ink at the Naturally Good Foods and Cafe, where “Jews are dying” was also scrawled in German on the fencing. Another swastika was spray-painted on food trucks at Ditch Plains Beach, a popular surfing spot nearby, with the words “Free Palestine” written next to it.
East Hampton Police are investigating both incidents.
Swastikas were spray-painted with black ink overnight at the Naturally Good Foods and Cafe in Montauk. Business owners tell DailyMail.com it is unclear whether the attack was targeted or random
In addition to the swastikas, the German language for ‘Jews die’ was also sprayed on the fences of the building
The shop and cafe were closed this morning while police investigated the graffiti
Swastikas were also painted on the picnic tables outside the restaurant
In a statement posted online, Naturally Good’s owners promoted tolerance among the community
In a statement posted online, Naturally Good’s owners promoted tolerance among the community.
We hope that the message of hate that has damaged our local business today will serve as a reminder of the work that needs to be done.
“The Naturally Good team and the Montauk community are made up of many different cultures, ethnicities and religions. By embracing each other, the fibers of our community become stronger.
Please join us in condemning hatred in all its forms. Let’s work together, as Montauk always does in times of crisis, and make our community safe and strong for our children and our neighbors.”
Business owner David told DailyMail.com: ‘It happened overnight, we don’t know yet if it was targeted or random. It is what it is.
In nearby Ditch Plains Beach, another swastika was spray-painted on a food truck with the words “Free Palestine” next to it
The Naturally Good grocery store and cafe in Montauk
“We don’t want Naturally Good to become a focal point where these kinds of things define us.”
One of the business owners is Jewish, but the fact that other locations were also affected suggests that this was random.
“I hope it’s random. “If someone deliberately targeted us because my partner is Jewish, that makes it all the more disturbing,” he said.
It is unclear whether the entrepreneurs were specifically targeted because they are Jewish.
The graffiti in Montauk, an expensive summer town known for being more laid-back than its Hamptons neighbors, is the latest indicator of rising anti-Semitism in New York.
In Manhattan last week, Jewish students at Cooper Union were forced to barricade themselves in a building as pro-Hamas demonstrators chased them.
Numerous anti-Semitic signs have been spotted during pro-Palestine protests organized by students at NYU and other schools.
NYU despised a female youth who was seen holding up such a sign at a protest last week.