'Kill a Jew' graffiti found at a university in South Africa
The phrases "Kill a Jew" and "F*** the Jews" were found spray painted on a main building at Wits University in Johannesburg Tuesday.
By ILANIT CHERNICKUpdated: NOVEMBER 3, 2016 06:16'Kill a Jew' graffiti found at a university in South Africa(photo credit: Courtesy)
There was anger and outrage on Tuesday following the discovery of antisemitic graffiti at one of South Africa’s top universities as student riots continue across campuses over the cost of university fees.The phrases “Kill a Jew” and “F*** the Jews” were found spray-painted on a main building at Wits University in Johannesburg Tuesday. This was not the first incident of antisemitism to take place at Wits during the recent protests.Two weeks ago, a student wearing a kippa was walking out of a lecture hall, when he encountered a group of protesting students.When he stepped aside, he was verbally accosted and called a “Mother F****** Jew” by members of the crowd.Wits University spokeswoman Shirona Patel said it is aware of the offensive graffiti sprayed on two walls on Wits’s campuses.“The graffiti has been removed from our campus walls. The university condemns the offensive messages being propagated, and we deeply regret the insult that it may cause to members of the Wits community,” she said.“Should we identify any of the perpetrators, they will be held accountable for their actions.”The South African Union of Jewish Students said in a statement that it “unequivocally condemns the antisemitism being demonstrated on campus.“There can be no justification for such hateful, ignorant and offensive acts,” it said.SAUJS added that it is in contact with the office of the dean of students to ensure that the graffiti be removed and to find those responsible.
National director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Wendy Kahn, strongly condemned the “hate-filled graffiti.”“The antisemitic graffiti is indicative of the ugly racism that has unfortunately surfaced during the student protest,” she said. “This has no place in our country, and it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”Outgoing Wits Student Representative Council spokeswoman Fasiha Hassan condemned this act and referred to it as “deplorable” and “hate speech.” She denied that the SRC had any involvement in the graffiti.However, last year former SRC leader Mcebo Dlamini openly voiced his love for Hitler. Dlamini said he admired the German leader, who sent millions to their death during the Holocaust, for his “charisma” and “organizational skills.”