Antisemitic Vandalism Hits San Jose Campaign Signs

Campaign signs for San Jose Councilmember David Cohen turned up defaced with antisemitic graffiti this week. Vandals targeted at least two signs on East Brokaw Road, drawing Star of David symbols and hateful slurs. Police launched an investigation right away — it's part of a broader push against hate crimes in the city. Cohen called it "disgusting" and vowed not to be intimidated. Turns out, this isn't isolated; antisemitic incidents have spiked lately, making election season tense for Jewish candidates. ### What exactly happened? Early this week, someone spray-painted David Cohen's campaign signs along East Brokaw Road in San Jose. The graffiti included clear antisemitic symbols — a Star of David inside a circle with a slash through it, plus words like "Zionist." Cohen, who's running for re-election in District 4, posted photos on social media showing the damage. San Jose police confirmed they're treating it as a hate crime and are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses. ### Who is David Cohen? David Cohen's been San Jose City Councilmember for District 4 since 2018. He's Jewish, openly so, and has pushed policies on housing, public safety, and tech jobs — big issues in Silicon Valley. This isn't his first brush with hate; he's spoken before about rising antisemitism post-October 7, 2023. Re-election's coming up in November 2026, so signs are everywhere. Vandalizing them hits at democracy itself, he said in a statement. ### Why East Brokaw Road? East Brokaw's a busy commercial stretch near the airport and highways — high visibility for campaign signs. It's not random; vandals likely drove by and targeted Cohen's because of his name and profile. Similar acts have popped up elsewhere in the Bay Area, like signs for other pro-Israel candidates getting hit. Police noted at least two signs, but Cohen thinks more got damaged before he noticed. ### How did everyone react? Cohen condemned it fast on X (formerly Twitter): "Hate has no place in San Jose. We'll keep fighting for our community." Other candidates, like mayoral hopefuls, chimed in too — one called it "cowardly" and urged unity. San Jose PD's hate crimes unit is on it, asking for tips via 311 or online. Councilmembers passed a resolution last year boosting hate crime responses, and this tests that commitment. Community groups like the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley offered support. ### What's the bigger picture? Antisemitic incidents in the Bay Area jumped 30% after October 2023, per ADL data — vandalism, harassment, threats. San Jose saw 25 hate crimes in 2025 alone, many antisemitic. Election season amps it up; candidates become targets. Nationally, the FBI reports Jews face 60% of religious hate crimes despite being 2% of the population. Here, it's personal — Cohen's signs remind voters of his identity. ### Are there leads? Police haven't named suspects, but they're canvassing the area. No arrests yet, but similar vandalism in nearby Sunnyvale led to a quick catch last month via cameras. Cohen's offering a reward for info. Turns out, most hate crimes go unsolved — 70% per FBI stats — so vigilance matters. Residents are urged to report suspicious activity. ### Why does this matter now? San Jose's campaigns are heating up — signs everywhere signal a close race. This vandalism threatens free speech and chills candidates. It spotlights how hate infiltrates local politics, especially with national tensions over Israel. Cohen plans more signs, saying hate won't stop him. Communities are rallying, but it underscores the need for better prevention amid 2026 elections. Bottom line: This hit shows antisemitism's ugly reach into everyday democracy. Police are acting, but solving it takes the whole community watching out. If you see something on Brokaw or elsewhere, speak up — that's how these stories turn around. ``` (Word count: 578)