DEVELOPING STORY: Someone is targeting Jewish citizens of Nashville.
Anti-Semetic fliers were found on dozens of driveways in the city’s tony West End.“I was walking up this street here. I took a left here. And probably that first driveway that’s where I saw the first one,” one man told Fox 17. “Something catches my eye. And it’s a Jewish star. Star of David. And I said well what is that? And so I picked it up and I realized that these were anti-Semitic propaganda statements thrown.”
City leaders released the following statement:
Hateful, divisive rhetoric and antisemitism have no place in Nashville, TN.
“Antisemitic attacks are on the rise and continue to expand throughout the country. Painfully, Nashville is not immune. Nashville residents both Jewish and non-Jewish have been confronted by antisemitic messages not only on social media, but also at their homes and in their communities.“Mayor Cooper has directed his administration to work closely with leaders in the Jewish community to investigate and respond to these incidents. Chief Drake and the entire Metro Nashville Public Department remain vigilant and are coordinating appropriate responses at key Jewish landmarks and throughout the city without further emboldening the individuals and groups involved in spreading these disgusting messages.
“This disturbing antisemitic propaganda is similar in tone and style to that used for generations to target the Jewish people and paint them as the enemy. Once Jews are defined and identified as the enemy, anything done against Jews can be justified.
“As a community, we will not tolerate these actions. We stand united in support of the Jewish community, and against the extremism and hatred of a small but dangerous faction of our city.“Thank you to our Nashville friends and neighbors who have already spoken out and joined us in condemning this activity. We will not surrender to these dangerous and damaging efforts intended to divide and distort.
“We will not stand idle in the face of treacherous and threatening attempts to sow chaos and fear.
“We have and will continue to call out this alarming rhetoric, and respond by promoting civility, inclusion, and respect for all our friends and neighbors in Nashville.”
Sheirth Israel Synagogue issued the following statement to FOX 17 News:
Of course this is distressing, for the neighbors as well as for the Jewish community. Nashville is a welcoming city so when this type of event occurs it is alarming for everyone.The Jewish community, specifically, experiences more hate crimes than any other religious minority, so on the one hand, we can’t act too surprised, but on the other hand, it is always unsettling. In other places and at other times, horrific world events have begun with the spewing of stereotypes and lies, so it is critical that this be taken seriously. Thankfully we have the full support of law enforcement and TBI.
More than 40 West Nashville residents woke up to flyers like this on their doorsteps. Community members tell me they’re concerned for their Jewish neighbors. More tonight @ 10 @FOXNashville pic.twitter.com/EDW9j5OPrx
— Kylie Walker FOX17 (@FOX17Kylie) August 4, 2022
