A correction to an earlier version of this article has been appended to the end of the article.
OAKLAND — Anti-Israel and pro-Hamas graffiti was spray painted at different sites around Lake Merritt, community members said.
The graffiti was discovered Sunday, painted on columns at the Lake Merritt Pergola on El Embarcadero, which runs between Grand Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue north of the lake and on nearby structures.
Messages included “F— Israel,” “Long Live Hamas,” “Free Palestine” and “End US Aid to Israel.” The word “Hamas” encircled by a heart shape was painted on the pavement.
Pro-Hamas messages were also seen on structures and pavement along Lakeshore Avenue.
All the graffiti was removed by city work crews Tuesday, who either painted over it or washed it away.
Local Rabbi Mark Bloom said Monday he “was obviously very saddened” by the graffiti. “I think it’s part of the ugliness in our city right now. The graffiti is ugly both literally and figuratively.”
He said “we need more messages of love in this city, not hatred. We need more people bringing messages of goodness and love.”
Oakland police were already investigating the Dec. 12 destruction of a Hanukkah menorah on the opposite end of the lake. The menorah was smashed and its pieces strewn around the area. Anti-Semitic remarks were also spray painted on benches nearby. Members of the Jewish community and its supporters replaced it the next night.
No arrests have been made in that case and authorities said it is too soon to say if the same suspects were also involved in the latest vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 510-238-3728.
Public confrontations, in writing and in voice, have grown since the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel killed 1,200 people, and Hamas militants took 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza in its war against Hamas have killed more than 29,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the territory’s buildings and infrastructure.
The continuing conflict has led to fiery political debate on both sides of the conflict, with public protests drawing attention. At times, the rhetoric has included hateful langage directed toward Jews, Muslims, the Israeli government and leaders of movements like Hamas.
An earlier version of this story referred to anti-Semitic graffiti spray painted at Lake Merritt. The story has been changed to say the messages were anti-Israel.
