Headlines

Connecticut Towns Vandalized With Swastikas and Antisemitic Messages
UCL Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of Blood Libel and Other Hate Speech Allegations
Australian Case Alleging Antisemitism Over Israel Criticism Is Dropped

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. From swastikas defacing public spaces to complex campus accountability and legal battles, we track the latest developments in the fight against antisemitism.

In Wethersfield, Connecticut, and neighboring Rocky Hill, police are investigating a series of vandalism incidents that occurred Sunday morning. According to WTNH.com reporting, officers found swastikas and antisemitic messages spray-painted on vehicles, fences, and street signs. Wethersfield police reported responding to multiple acts, while Rocky Hill police stated they condemn this type of conduct, noting the hateful messaging does not reflect community values, as reported by Hearst Connecticut Media Group. The incidents are believed to be related and remain under investigation, with no arrests made as of now. This physical defacement with hate symbols is a disturbing reminder of antisemitism's presence in public spaces.

On campus, University College London, or UCL, is navigating separate issues surrounding hate speech. As reported by NewsCord, last November, on November 11, 2025, a former UCL researcher repeated the medieval blood libel – the false accusation that Jews kill Christians for blood – at a student society event. By November 13, UCL had taken swift action, banning the speaker from campus, reporting her to the police, and suspending the student societies involved. UCL's President and Provost, Michael Spence, stated that "Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our university" and that freedom of speech "can never be misused as a shield for hatred."

In contrast, a disciplinary process for a different student, Diego Bertora, who made racist and anti-Muslim comments in a WhatsApp group in April 2026, is described by UCL as "complex" and "live." According to the report, an outcome is expected before the start of the academic year on September 28th. This case highlights how universities approach different forms of alleged hate speech, with immediate disciplinary measures taken in one instance of antisemitism, while another case remains pending.

Turning to legal accountability, the Zionist Federation of Australia, or ZFA, announced on September 11, 2026, that it was dropping its Federal Court case against journalist Mary Kostakidis. As detailed in reporting, the ZFA had accused Kostakidis of antisemitism due to her criticism of Israel. The legal action, which began with a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission in July 2024, alleged discrimination against Jewish people. On September 11, the case was dismissed by mutual consent in the Federal Court, with no order on costs. Kostakidis, in her own writings as reported, has described such legal actions as "lawfare" intended to silence critics of Israel, arguing that supporters of Israel have conflated criticism of Israeli government conduct with antisemitism since the late 1960s. This outcome concludes a legal process where criticism of Israel was directly framed as antisemitism, offering a look at how such allegations fare in court.

Finally, as Jewish communities prepare for the high holidays this fall, concerns about antisemitism and security remain a focus. The Detroit Jewish News reported on security considerations at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance within Jewish communal institutions.

That's all for today's Antisemitism Watch. I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- wtnh.com: https://www.wtnh.com/uncategorized/wethersfield-police-investigating-racist-vandalism-across-town/
- stamfordadvocate.com: https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/rocky-hill-graffiti-racist-offensive-investigation-22440778.php
- fox61.com: https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/hartford-county/wethersfield/wethersfield-police-say-swastika-and-antisemitic-writing-found-across-town/520-c5be72c1-3196-470b-80f5-e71d4cf4d919
- newscord.org: https://newscord.org/editorials/ucl-two-days-five-months
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/09/20/trump-mamdani-set-to-meet-monday-at-gracie-mansion/
- facebook.com: https://www.facebook.com/detroitfreepress/posts/amid-concerns-about-antisemitism-and-security-the-jewish-high-holidays-that-end-/1557425156429631/
- greenleft.org.au: https://www.greenleft.org.au/2026/1463/analysis/zionists-drop-case-against-genocide-critic-mary-kostakidis