PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are searching for a man they said was caught on camera vandalizing the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Old City.
They said just after 8 p.m. on Thursday, a man was seen writing an “offensive message” on the OY/YO statue right outside the museum.
He then left the museum and hopped on a train a few minutes later.
State Rep. Tarik Khan said he spotted the graffiti and reported it to both the police and local organizations that track antisemitism.
The museum called Thursday's incident "deeply troubling," but said it won't be intimidated.
The man’s identity is unknown. Police are still searching for a motive and investigating whether this could be a hate crime.
About a year ago, on Aug. 18, 2025, a man was caught spraying red paint on the museum's exterior. A week later, red paint appeared on a display showing solidarity with Israel on the 5th Street side of the museum. Leroy Hayes was charged in connection with both incidents.
