The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the recent neo-Nazi graffiti targeting Mitzvahland, a Jewish religious supplies store in the Encino area in Los Angeles.
SEE: Swastika painted on Encino storefront prompts hate crime investigation
A video posted to the store’s Instagram account over the weekend shows surveillance footage of an unidentified man approaching the building and spray painting a large yellow swastika on the glass door.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) stated that officers are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.
There have been reports of several other instances of antisemitic graffiti around the Encino area, although it is not known if the incidents are related.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We strongly condemn this blatant and appalling act of antisemitism targeting a Jewish-owned business in Encino. This is not an isolated act; it is part of a broader and deeply alarming increase in hate across the country. We must work to confront and eradicate the rising tide of intolerance and ensure that dangerous neo-Nazi ideology and other forms of bigotry do not go unchecked.
“We commend the LAPD for investigating the incident as a hate crime and urge full accountability for the perpetrator.”
Last month, CAIR-LA condemned antisemitic vandalism targeting an elementary school in Los Angeles. It also called on the LAPD to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime.
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com