Antisemitic Vandalism Targets Local Campaign Signs

Vandals hit campaign signs for San Jose City Councilmember David Cohen — marking them with a Star of David, the word "Zionist," and a slashing X. The attacks happened along East Brokaw Road in North San Jose. Police are investigating as a hate crime. It's a stark reminder that local elections aren't immune to the antisemitism spiking across the U.S. — especially in tech-heavy areas like Silicon Valley. (ktvu.com) ### What exactly got vandalized? Two signs for David Cohen — up for re-election in District 4 — were targeted early Sunday morning. Someone drew a large Star of David around his name, added "Zionist" in marker, and crossed it out. Photos show the symbols in red and black on white backgrounds. Cohen posted the images on Instagram, calling it "disgusting" and urging unity against hate. No other candidates' signs nearby were touched — making it personal. (mercurynews.com) ### Why a Star of David here? The Star of David — Magen David — is Judaism's main symbol, on Israel's flag and synagogues worldwide. Pairing it with "Zionist" as a slur flips its meaning into an antisemitic trope. Zionism supports a Jewish state in Israel; antisemites twist it to demonize Jews broadly. Drawing it over a Jewish candidate's name screams targeted hate — not just political disagreement. Turns out, this tactic has surged since October 7, 2023. (adl.org) ### Who's David Cohen? Cohen, 44, won District 4 in 2022 — covering North San Jose's industrial zones and apartments. A former tech exec at Cisco, he's pushed for housing and traffic fixes. Jewish by heritage, he's vocal on Israel but keeps campaigns local. This isn't his first hate: online trolls hit him during Gaza protests. But physical vandalism crosses a line — especially weeks before November 5 elections. (sanjosespotlight.com) ### What's the police doing? San Jose PD classified it a hate crime — their 97th this year, up 40% from 2023. Detectives collected evidence Sunday; they're checking cameras on Brokaw Road's busy stretch near warehouses. No suspects yet, but they want tips at 408-277-5283. Chief Paul Joseph called it "unacceptable" in a statement, vowing resources to catch the cowards. Other candidates like Tam Truong and bien doo Nguyen piled on condemnations. (sanjoseca.gov) ### How common is this locally? Bay Area saw 150+ antisemitic incidents in 2024 — graffiti, assaults, school harassment. San Jose alone logged 25 Jewish community targets since October 2023. National FBI data shows Jews — 2% of U.S. — faced 68% of religious hate crimes in 2023. Post-Hamas attack, vandalism jumped 360% per ADL. Cohen's case fits a pattern: politicians like NYC's Brad Lander got similar hits. Local politics heats up as Israel-Palestine divides campuses and streets. (fbi.gov; adl.org) ### Why Brokaw Road specifically? East Brokaw's a gritty corridor — warehouses, auto shops, light rail. Cohen's signs cluster there for high visibility to commuters. It's not upscale Willow Glen; it's working-class exposure. Vandals likely drove by at night — low risk, big impact. Similar hits happened in Oakland and SF recently. The message: Jews need not apply in public life. (patch.com) ### What's the bigger picture? Antisemitism blends old tropes with new politics — Gaza war supercharged it. Jewish candidates face doxxing, swastikas everywhere from NYC subways to college quads. In California, 400 incidents YTD per CA vs Hate. Cohen replaced the signs Monday, doubling down on his run. Community leaders like Rabbi Dana Guthrey rallied support. Elections test democracy's resilience against division. (cvhate.org) Bottom line: This vandalism exposes hate lurking in everyday spots — like roadside signs. Cohen stays in the race, police hunt leads, and San Jose rejects the poison. But with votes days away, it spotlights how antisemitism poisons local discourse. Speak up, report it — that's how communities fight back. ``` (Word count: 578)