Swastika Flag Flown Over Jewish-Donated NYU Building
The flag was spotted around 5 p.m. According to the university’s student newspaper, Washington Square News, the purple and white flag included swastikas, the letters “NYU” and a Star of David.
A swastika flag was raised above a New York University building Wednesday during graduation week, prompting outrage from students, parents and university officials.
The flag was spotted around 5 p.m. during NYU’s annual Grad Alley block party, which draws students and families ahead of commencement. According to the university’s student newspaper, Washington Square News, the purple and white flag included swastikas, the letters “NYU” and a Star of David.
It was raised above the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, a building named for billionaire philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt. The building overlooks Washington Square Park.
NYU officials said campus safety officers responded immediately and removed the flag after roughly 15 minutes. The university said it is working with the New York Police Department to identify those responsible.
“We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing antisemitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park,” NYU spokesperson Wiley Norvell said.
“We are one community. We protect each other. And we will not let hate and division find a foothold on our campus,” he added.
Students at the scene said they were disturbed by the display. Senior Luca Pasquini told WCBS-TV that the flag was “disgusting” and “repulsive.” Nursing graduate Jiani Zou called it “hurtful.”
The incident was especially pointed because the building is named for donors closely associated with Jewish causes. Michael Steinhardt, who grew up in a Jewish home, founded Birthright Israel, the program that provides free heritage trips to Israel for young Jewish adults. He also founded the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life and supported Jewish education initiatives.
Steinhardt served on NYU’s board of trustees for 27 years before resigning in 2022 amid backlash over an antiquities scandal. In 2021, student government leaders called on NYU to remove his name from the school’s building after he surrendered 180 looted antiquities worth $70 million. Still, the building remains named for Michael and Judy Steinhardt, who donated $10 million to the university.
NYU has faced previous scrutiny over antisemitism on campus. In 2024, the university settled a federal antisemitism lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.
The flag was raised one day before NYU’s All-University Commencement ceremony at Yankee Stadium. The university’s Grad Alley event traditionally takes place the evening before commencement, because apparently even graduation week now requires a crisis-management desk.