Hate crime investigation underway after signs displaying Israeli hostages defaced

Newton police are investigating an incident of vandalism as a hate crime after several lawn signs depicting Israeli hostages held by Hamas were defaced with spray paint over the weekend.

More than 100 posters in front of a Newton couple’s home showing the names and faces of people taken hostage by Hamas were defaced with black spray paint, The Boston Globe reported. The incident occurred on Homer Street sometime between Saturday and early Sunday, the Newton Police Department said in a statement.

The crime comes days after another incident in which someone threw a rock through the front door window of a Newton home displaying a sign supporting Israel, said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.  

“We as a community must stand together to condemn antisemitism and acts of hate and violence against anyone,” Fuller said in a statement, calling the vandalism “premediated.”

The signs belonged to Jeffrey Kosowsky and his wife Mariam, who put up the signs to deliver a “peaceful” and “non-political message,” they told the Globe. 

“The incident is being investigated as a hate crime due to the underlying crimes specifically targeting the victims of a protected class,” Newton police said. The crime was also reported to the FBI by the Kosowskys, the Globe reported.

Photos of the vandalism obtained by NBC10 showed the words “Free Gaza” scribbled across one of the signs and posters depicting Jewish hostages ripped apart.

Officials said Monday they were “canvassing” the neighborhood surrounding Homer Street to review surveillance camera footage between Saturday and the early morning hours of Sunday. Anyone with information is being asked to contact 617-796-2121.

“We denounce such behavior, and our community has no tolerance for such bias and hateful acts,” said the department’s chief John Carmichael. “We will investigate the matter fully and seek to prosecute anyone involved.”

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