In what marked the fourth act of vandalism in nearly eight months, the Holy Bagels & Pizzeria in downtown Miami was once again defaced with antisemitic graffiti. City leaders, including Mayor Francis Suarez, Federal Judge Roy Altman, and Commissioner Manolo Reyes, displayed their solidarity on Monday by donning gloves to help scrub away the hate. The act was caught on surveillance video and took place early Sunday morning. According to WSVN, the mayor stated, "Graffiti is not acceptable anywhere, it’s against the law, but in particular when it’s hateful and meant to offend a particular community, one that is a big part of our city."
The owner of the business, Josh Nodel, expressed that while acts like these are painful, they only foster a stronger resolve within the community. "Its painful, every time we see such a hate, we just know we gotta get stronger," Nodel shared in an interview with WSVN. The graffiti, which sported heavy phrases like "Free Palestine and end the Genocide," signifies more than vandalism; it targets a deeper, historical scar. Connecting this incident to his family history, Judge Altman told WSVN, "I decided to come out here because my grandparents lived through the Holocaust, this is how it started in the 1930s, with spray painting and targeting of Jewish businesses, Jewish homes, and Jewish families and we will never allow it to happen again in our country."
Nodel has faced similar instances of discrimination at another location in Miami Beach, where his business experienced the defacement of Pro-Israel and American flags. Despite these recurring acts of hate, Nodel remains undeterred. He remarked to Local 10 News, "We are ready to put three, four, five, more flags up." This statement correlates with a community-wide response refusing to be silenced or intimidated by such targeted aggression.
Local authorities are on the case and Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers has become an avenue for the public to assist by offering information. Individuals with knowledge on the crime are encouraged to reach out, with anonymity guaranteed and a potential reward of up to $5,000 on offer for useful tips. With the wholehearted communal support, the spirit of defiance against discriminatory acts remains strong. A judge reinforced this sentiment in a statement to Local 10 News, saying, "We are one community. We support Israel. We Jews will not be silent like we were in 1941. God bless America."
