‘Death to IDF’ graffitied on cars in Missouri in antisemitic arson attack

An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) veteran was the apparent target in an attack in Clayton, Missouri, which saw three cars vandalized with graffiti and set ablaze.

Around 3 a.m. Aug. 5, Clayton Police and Fire Departments responded to a call about a vehicle fire. Three vehicles, two parked on the street and one in a driveway, were found heavily damaged.

Drone footage from the scene shared by First Alert 4 showed antisemitic graffiti near two of the cars. “Death to the IDF” was spray painted on the street. Part of the message was obscured by First Alert 4 because it had the name of the victim on it.

In addition to reportedly being an IDF veteran, the victim is also an American citizen.

The Clayton police department is pursuing every lead to identify the perpetrators, according to its statement on X.

Leo Terrell, the chair of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, said the crime is being investigated by the FBI’s nearby St. Louis office.

“I reviewed graphic footage of vehicles belonging to the family and their friends,” said Terrell via X. “The vehicles were set on fire and destroyed. Hateful graffiti outside the family’s home accused him of being a murderer and called for death to the IDF.”

A group of united Jewish organizations in the St. Louis area condemned the attack, accusing some of working for the increase in antisemitic violence in the U.S.

“As American Jewish organizations and proud St. Louisans, we condemn in the strongest terms the attack on members of our community last night,” the group said. “This is more than vandalism; it is a hateful act of intimidation and only the latest example of what happens when antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric are normalized.”

Jordan Kadosh with the Anti-Defamation League told First Alert 4 the antisemitic message holds a much bigger meaning.

“When you hear somebody say ‘globalize the intifada,’ this is what it looks like. It looks like burned out cars on suburban streets in America. This is not confined. When somebody says they want to take this fight to Jews around the world they mean everywhere,” Kadosh said.

The calls to attack Jews worldwide have grown louder since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israeli citizens at a music festival, which resulted in over 1,200 dead and over 250 hostages, including 12 Americans.

The latest arson attack in the St. Louis suburb comes as the FBI’s 2024 data reported a record high of 1,938 antisemitic hate crimes nationwide, representing nearly 70% of all religiously motivated hate crimes, according to the Combat Antisemitism Movement.

The mayor of the suburban community emphasized the safety of all people is a community responsibility.

“We will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or violence based on someone’s nationality, race, religion, or ideology,” said Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew. “This is not just an aspiration – it is our responsibility as neighbors and as citizens.”