Flag With Swastikas and Star of David Flown at N.Y.U., Police Say

A flag displaying two swastikas and a Star of David appeared on top of a building on the New York University campus on Wednesday, the Police Department confirmed on Thursday.

The flag, which appeared near Washington Square Park, resembled the many purple N.Y.U. flags flying on campus buildings but was emblazoned with two swastikas surrounding a Star of David. According to the student newspaper, Washington Square News, the flag appeared about 5 p.m. and was removed roughly 15 minutes later.

The Police Department received a 911 call at 5:21 p.m. reporting harassment. When officers arrived, a man told them that a flag had been tampered with to display swastikas. An investigation remains ongoing, a Police Department spokeswoman said, and no arrests have been made.

“We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing antisemitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park,” Wiley Norvell, an N.Y.U. spokesman, said in a statement. “Campus safety responded immediately to remove it, and we are working closely with the N.Y.P.D. to identify whoever is responsible.”




https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/nyregion/swastika-flag-star-david-nyu.html