The NYPD is investigating after someone raised a swastika flag on the campus of New York University on Wednesday. A man walking in Washington Square Park in the afternoon noticed the flag flying above one of the school’s buildings and notified CBS News New York.
The flag appeared to resemble a purple version of the Israeli flag, with stripes and a Star of David in the center. However, inside the star was the NYU torch emblem, and, on either side, large swastikas.
The flag was quickly taken down, but the damage was done. NYU said in a statement it is working with the police to try to identify the person responsible.
“We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing antisemitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park,” a spokesperson said, in part, adding, “We are one community. We protect each other. And we will not let hate and division find a foothold on our campus.”
“It’s just disgusting, actually” – It was a disturbing sight for students gathering to celebrate graduation week.
“It’s hurtful,” nursing graduate Jiani Zou said. Those students said the display does not reflect their experience at NYU, or the community they know.
CBS News New York spoke with the student president of NYU Hillel, the university’s center for Jewish student life. She said she feels supported by the administration and appreciates how quickly the flag was removed.
The incident comes eight months after a freshman reported that someone had scrawled antisemitic graffiti on his dorm door.
The Anti-Defamation League recently sounded the alarm on antisemitism in New York City and nationwide.
In its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents for 2025, New York and New Jersey were the No. 1 and 3 locations in the country for antisemitic incidents. Within New York state, New York City had the highest amount of incidents with 860.
Anyone with any information on the raising of the swastika flag is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). All calls are kept confidential.
