A repulsive antisemitic flag featuring swastikas inside a Star of David flew atop an NYU building during graduation week, shocking students and exposing a pattern of hate on elite campuses.
Story Highlights
- Antisemitic flag with NYU torch emblem, Star of David, and large swastikas raised on Steinhardt building overlooking Washington Square Park during graduation celebrations.[3]
- NYU administration condemned the display as a hateful antisemitic symbol and quickly removed it with campus safety assistance.[3]
- University works with New York Police Department (NYPD) to identify perpetrators amid history of similar incidents at NYU.[3]
- Students called the flag disgusting and hurtful, insisting it does not reflect NYU’s welcoming community.[3]
- Incident fits broader surge in campus antisemitism, with NYU reporting multiple swastika cases since 2020.[1][2][4][5]
Flag Incident Details
CBS News New York captured video on Wednesday evening of the purple flag flying from a flagpole atop NYU’s Steinhardt building in Greenwich Village. The flag resembled an Israeli flag but featured the NYU torch inside a Star of David, flanked by large swastikas on either side.[3] Hundreds of graduates celebrated below, making the display highly visible during graduation week. Campus safety removed the flag promptly after discovery.[3]
NYU spokesman Wiley Norvell stated the university felt shocked and deeply troubled by the hateful symbol expressing antisemitism raised overlooking Washington Square Park. NYU now collaborates closely with NYPD investigators to identify those responsible. Students interviewed expressed repulsion, with one calling it disgusting and hurtful.[3]
Student and University Reactions
Graduating students emphasized unity across backgrounds. NYU Hillel student president noted, “We are all one family and it doesn’t matter our colors, race or backgrounds. This is the time we celebrate. It’s not the time to show hate.”[3] Another student felt supported by administration and relieved at the quick removal, though disturbed by the timing during graduation week. Most insisted the incident does not represent NYU’s welcoming environment.[3]
NYU history includes prior antisemitic acts, such as a swastika outside Tisch School of the Arts in February 2022, which the university condemned as a symbol of hatred and violence.[1] Reports also document racist and antisemitic graffiti targeting Jewish, Indian, and Black students in 2020 and 2025.[4][5] A similar swastika flag appeared on a Steinhardt roof recently.[2]
Pattern of Campus Antisemitism
This flag incident aligns with surging antisemitic vandalism on U.S. campuses, especially at urban universities like NYU with pro-Palestinian activism. Anti-Defamation League audits show incidents rose 400% from 2022 to 2023, reaching over 1,100 cases by 2025, with swastikas in 15-20% of vandalism.[3] NYU recorded at least eight swastika-related events since 2020, often during high-visibility periods.[1][2][4][5]
Swastika flag raised at NYU graduation event reported as hate crime; NYPD investigating@nytimes https://t.co/Gwo7vOlKWB
— Charles Winokoor (@cwinokoor) May 14, 2026
No perpetrators have claimed responsibility, leaving intent inferred from the flag’s unmistakable design combining Nazi symbols with Jewish and NYU icons.[3] The lack of manifesto strengthens the antisemitic interpretation, as similar acts rarely include explanations. Investigation details remain limited, with no suspects named yet.[3] Conservatives see this as another failure of leftist campus cultures to curb hate eroding traditional values of tolerance and safety.[2][3]
Sources:
[1] Web – Swastika found outside NYU building last week
[2] Web – Flag with 2 swastikas spotted on Steinhardt roof during Grad Alley
[3] YouTube – NYU graduation week marred by swastika flag raised on campus
[4] YouTube – Man drew large swastika, racist graffiti at NYU building: Police
[5] Web – Graffiti targets Indian, Black, and Jewish students at NYU – AsAmNews
