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Philadelphia Police Seek Suspect in Antisemitic Vandalism of OY/YO Sculpture

Officials say the public appeal highlights a rise in antisemitic incidents in Pennsylvania, marking a second attack on the Weitzman museum in a year.

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Police Release Photos of Man Suspected in Philadelphia Jewish Museum Vandalism
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Overview

  • The vandalism occurred just after 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, when a man wrote a hateful message on the yellow OY/YO sculpture outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
  • Philadelphia police released surveillance photos Tuesday and asked the public to contact the Central Detective Division after video showed the suspect entering the SEPTA 5th Street station while dragging a large suitcase.
  • Investigators describe the suspect as a heavily tattooed white man about 50 to 60 years old wearing a white tank top, khaki shorts and red-and-white Nike Air Jordans.
  • Museum staff removed the graffiti quickly and officials including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Mayor Cherelle Parker and Gov. Josh Shapiro publicly condemned the attack.
  • The incident follows spray-paint vandalism of the museum and an Israeli flag in August 2025 that led to separate charges, and civil-rights groups cite rising antisemitic incidents statewide as they call for reporting, education and stepped-up protection for Jewish sites.