NYU Condemns ‘Hateful’ Flag Display with Swastikas at Graduation Ceremony

A graduation ceremony at New York University was marred Wednesday evening by the appearance of an anti-Semitic flag flying above the campus in Lower Manhattan. The flag, which was raised on a flagpole atop a campus building overlooking Washington Square Park, was quickly removed, but students and university officials condemned the display as repulsive and deeply troubling.

The flag resembled a purple version of the Israeli flag, featuring white stripes and a Star of David in the center. However, inside the star was the NYU torch emblem, and large swastikas were displayed on either side.

“It’s just disgusting. Like actually kind of repulsive,” one student said. Another student added, “It’s hurtful.”

Students emphasized that the incident does not reflect their everyday experience at the university. “Everyone at NYU is always very welcoming, and whenever I see this sort of thing, it’s honestly shocking,” one graduate said.

In a statement, an NYU spokesman said, “We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing anti-Semitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park. Campus safety responded immediately to remove it, and we are working closely with the NYPD to identify whoever is responsible.”

The student president of NYU Hillel, the university’s center for Jewish life on campus, told reporters she feels supported by the administration and was relieved at how quickly the flag was taken down. Still, she said she is disturbed that the incident occurred during graduation week.

“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,” she said.

The flag incident is not the first anti-Semitic episode reported at NYU this school year. In September, a Jewish student found anti-Semitic graffiti on his dorm room door. Despite the recent display, students said they believe NYU remains a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds.