EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An exit sign of a West El Paso synagogue was vandalized with graffiti showing a symbol with a swastika combined with the Star of David on Thursday, Feb. 6, according to photos that have gone viral on social media and the president of the Congregation B’nai Zion, Bill Carvajal.

Carvajal says the graffiti was “antisemitic” and the incident has been reported to the El Paso Police Department and the FBI.

Carvajal sent out a statement to members, which was obtained by KTSM. The statement reads as follows:

“We had an incident at our facility today where Anti-Semitic graffiti was place on our exit sign. The incident was reported to the El Paso Police Department and FBI who are investigating. We have been in contact with the ADL and Secure Communities Network and are coordinating with them. The security of our Congregation is of paramount importance, and we have had heightened security measures in place for over a year. As we get more information, we will share it with the Congregation.”

Carvajal did not say if anyone was arrested or charged in relation to the incident.

Our crews headed out to the synagogue and confirmed that the sign had been cleaned up as of Thursday afternoon.

In a statement sent to KTSM, El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson “condemns” the vandalism and says the City is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Jewish community.

“I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the hateful vandalism targeting the B’nai Zion
Congregation,” Johnson said. “The use of Nazi symbols is a painful reminder of
a dark history, and it has no place in our community or anywhere in the world. Acts like
this go against the core values of respect, inclusivity, and unity that El Paso stands for.”

According to the statement, law enforcement is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

“El Paso is a community built on inclusiveness and mutual respect,” Johnson said. “We will continue to reject hate in all its forms and work to ensure that our city remains a place where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.”

The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center also sent a statement to KTSM, stating that a second synagogue was vandalized on Thursday. That statement is the following:

“Yesterday (February 6) two of El Paso’s synagogues- Congregation B’nai Zion and Temple Mount Sinai- were vandalized with antisemitic graffiti. El Paso Holocaust Museum is outraged that this level of hate and bigotry has pervaded our city and targeted part of our community. We stand in support and solidarity with those who have been affected by the ugliness of antisemitism against their houses of worship. Everyone in our community should have the right to freely, without fear or threat, observe their faith and religion.

We call upon our El Paso community to stand together, regardless of background, faith practice, or religious view, to say not here. Not in our city will we allow anyone to be targeted. We are a community that respects one another and values our diversity and inclusivity. El Paso Holocaust Museum advocates for the rights and liberties of all, as we know from history what happens when those freedoms are threatened.”