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For the second time in nearly as many months, anti-Semitic graffiti was found spray-painted along the Bethesda Trolley Trail in the Wildwood neighborhood.
County Executive Marc Elrich said on Monday, Nov. 14, that Montgomery County response teams are working to remove the hateful images “as quickly as possible.”
While cleaning up the latest incident, Elrich said that teams also located a second location that was tagged with hateful rhetoric on a brick wall at Old Georgetown Road and Tuckerman Lane.
"Antisemitism, hate, and attempts at intimidation in any form should not exist nor be tolerated anywhere, especially in a community like Montgomery County,” he added. “I have had to personally deal with antisemitism throughout my entire life, and I have always hoped that there would be a day in my lifetime when it would no longer be a part of our society.
“Sadly, from pop culture icons to right-wing hate groups, we are witnessing a rise in antisemitism throughout this nation. I never imagined we would be at this place in the 21st century.”
According to reports, one of the vandals drew three people hanging from a noose with the words "No Mercy For Jews” written in red spray paint against a white fence.
On social media, the American Jewish Committee shared photos of the graffiti while stating that “the Jewish community will not be intimidated by these despicable messages of hate."
“We must combat these tragic and despicable incidents through unity in every neighborhood and community throughout the county,” Elrich added. “We are one of the most diverse jurisdictions anywhere in the world and now is a time when we need to use it to make us stronger.
“We must support and uplift our Jewish community during this time and we must continue to not tolerate hate in any form in Montgomery County, the state of Maryland, and in this nation.”
The incident remains under investigation by local police.
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