Swastikas next to a Star of David were seen in the parking lot of a West Hollywood coffee shop. (photo courtesy of Sara Juliet Fruman)

Antisemitic graffiti was discovered outside of a West Hollywood coffee shop on Oct. 9.

West Hollywood resident Sara Juliet Fruman said she was walking near Pantheon Coffee on Fairfax Avenue when she saw graffiti on a parking lot wall that depicted swastikas next to the Star of David.

“It’s devastating and scary,” Fruman said. “The message you’re getting as someone who is Jewish when you see something like this, is that, ‘We want to kill you,’ essentially, and that, ‘You’re not welcome here.’”

Fruman immediately notified Pantheon Coffee management and contacted the city of West Hollywood, which removed the graffiti within hours. Staff members at the coffee shop were shocked and outraged, she added. Fruman was reassured to see the city act so quickly. She added that the graffiti was particularly unsettling in the wake of the announcement that all Israeli hostages would be released by Hamas.

“When stuff starts to get desensitized, it becomes pretty scary,” she said. “It’s become normalized and accepted within our society which is deeply concerning.”

West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers condemned the graffiti.

“West Hollywood is a welcoming and inclusive community to all people. Hateful messages and symbols create real fear for community members and this type of destructive behavior is not tolerated in the city,” Byers said. “With antisemitic and politically motivated violence occurring across the country, this graffiti may erode the sense of safety the Jewish community feels in West Hollywood. It is important that the city continue to uplift its values of inclusion, that we work together to provide community specific education on hate crimes and violence and we all work together to ensure this city is safe and supportive for all.”

“There is absolutely no place for antisemitism or hate of any kind in West Hollywood,” Councilman John Erickson said. “Our city was built on inclusion and respect and acts like this go against everything we stand for and they make me sick. When hate shows up, we must respond swiftly and united. It’s not just about removing graffiti – it’s about reaffirming who we are as a community: one that stands shoulder to shoulder against hate and for love, dignity and equality.”

Graffiti placed on private and public property is removed at no charge by the city, generally within three days of notification. Graffiti can be reported by calling (323)848-6557 or visiting weho.org.