Controversial mural that blends swastika with Star of David vandalized
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A controversial mural in Milwaukee near Locust and Holton was vandalized.
The mural depicts a swastika inside the Star of David with the words "the irony of becoming what you once hated."
Yesterday, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation said the mural was antisemitic.
CBS 58 talked to the building's owner, Ihsan Atta. He said he is not upset; he will clean it and have the artist touch it up.
"I expected, you know, someone that didn't want the truth to come out to try to stifle the free speech and freedom of expression. But I also actually appreciate that they did that, because it only brought more attention to it. Which in turn, will bring more awareness to the genocide going on in Gaza," said Atta.
CBS 58 also talked to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation today about the mural.
The president, Miryam Rosenzweig says the image is clearly about the Jewish community, not Israel.
"What the mural doesn't have, is any depiction of Hamas hiding in the tunnels, and not allowing any of its citizens to hide there. There's no criticism of the own government within Gaza, it's focused on the Jewish community in Milwaukee," said Rosenzweig.
The county supervisor of the district that the mural is in said she stands with those who are calling for its removal.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Jewish Federation is responding to an image of a swastika found at the corner of Locust and Holton on Thursday, Sept. 12.
In a post on social media, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation said, "Thank you to the members of our Jewish community and our allies who notified us this morning of the horribly antisemitic image found on the corner of Locust and Holton Streets in Milwaukee. We are working on a formal response and will be able to provide more information soon."
In a released statement, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation later said "This mural is not intended to actually change anything on the ground in Israel and Gaza. It has no capacity to do that. It is only meant to be hurtful to our Holocaust survivors who see it."
The image is located where a mural of Breonna Taylor used to be.
According to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, threats, incidents or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations or community members can be reported here.
The Palestinian building owner declined an interview tonight, saying he does not want his words taken out of context.