A replica of the Liberty Bell was recently vandalized with pro-Hamas symbols and anti-Israel messages amid a visit to the Capitol by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Thousands of rioters descended on the Washington D.C. monument as Netanyahu addressed Congress, with the Liberty Bell being a prominent target.
The bell was covered in graffiti, including hateful messages which read “F*** Israel”, “Abolish Israel”, and “All Zionists are bastards”. A red triangular symbol synonymous with Hamas was also drawn on the monument, as well as a message, “Long Live the Intifada”, which is a euphemism for violence against Israelis and Jews.
Elsewhere in D.C., rioters graffitied “Hamas is coming” on the Christopher Columbus statue. At Union Station, 23 people were arrested for a gathering which saw burnings of the American flags an effigy of Netanyahu.
Many on social media platform X decried the vandalism, with owner and CEO Elon Musk describing it as “messed up”.
Others were incandescent with anger.
Another called for criminal prosecution.
Investigative journalist and veteran Sarah Fields added further context on the significance of the rioters’ actions and the importance of the Liberty Bell.
The vandalism was cleaned up the following day.
