Three cars were set on fire and an antisemitic message was scrawled on a quiet residential street in a St. Louis suburb early Tuesday.
The crimes stunned residents, horrified the Jewish community and alarmed the self-described “chic suburban community” of Clayton just east of St. Louis.
“Death to the IDF,” meaning the Israel Defense Forces, was spray painted on the street, while three vehicles were reportedly torched nearby.
The graffiti also reportedly included an attack on a particular individual, though local media blurred that portion out in images shared online.
The attack brought forth swift horror and condemnation from government officials and Jewish leaders.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by this violence against the Jewish community in St. Louis. Antisemitism has no place in Missouri,” Gov. Mike Kehoe posted on X Wednesday.
Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew wrote that the attack was “an offensive and violent act of arson” that “targeted a Clayton resident.
“This incident is being investigated as a hate crime. Clayton Police and Fire personnel were immediately notified and responded quickly to the scene. Clayton has dedicated extensive resources and brought in regional law enforcement partners, as well as the FBI, in order to find those responsible for this repulsive act. As always, our police department is committed to protecting the safety of every member of our community.
“We will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or violence based on someone’s nationality, race, religion, or ideology. In Clayton, we are committed to fostering a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and welcome. This is not just an aspiration—it is our responsibility as neighbors and as citizens. As such, I call upon all Clayton residents to join me in embracing the principles of respect, understanding, and inclusion that define who we are as a community.”
“This is more than vandalism; it is a hateful act of intimidation and the consequence of the dangerous rise in antisemitism,” Jewish Federation of St. Louis President and CEO Danny Cohn wrote in a statement.
“When hateful words targeting Jews or Israel go unchecked, whether on social media or at public events, they embolden individuals to act. What started as rhetoric is increasingly escalating into threats and violence against our Jewish community.
“Jewish Federation’s Community Security Team is working closely with law enforcement to investigate and is providing support to those directly affected.
“We are a resilient community, but we cannot fight antisemitism alone. We urge civic and community leaders to join us in speaking out clearly and forcefully against antisemitism in all its forms.”
Said Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Jordan Kadosh:
“When you hear somebody say globalize the intifada this is what it looks like. It looks like burned out cars on suburban streets on america. This is not confined. When somebody says they want to take this fight to jews around the world they mean everywhere.”
