Full Breakdown
NYU Flag Incident: Swastikas and Star of David Raised During Graduation Week
5/15/2026, 4:12:04 AM
Incident Overview
On the evening of May 13, 2026, a blue-white flag bearing two swastikas, a Star of David and the letters “NYU” was hoisted on the roof of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. The flag appeared during NYU’s Grad Alley celebration near Washington Square Park, was reported at 5:21 p.m., and was removed by campus safety and NYPD personnel roughly 15 minutes later. No arrests have been made and the New York Police Department (NYPD) is treating the case as a possible hate crime.
Timeline of Key Moments
- ~5:00 p.m. – Students notice the flag waving on the Steinhardt building during Grad Alley.
- 5:15 p.m. – Tisch senior Max Bolen describes the flag “bobbing up and down.”
- 5:21 p.m. – A 911 call reports the flag as harassment.
- ~5:30 p.m. – Four NYPD officers and five Campus Safety staff enter the building; the flag is taken down.
- May 14 – NYU and NYPD issue statements; the investigation continues with a review of surveillance footage.
Background of Campus Antisemitism
NYU has faced several antisemitic incidents in recent years: graffiti on a Weinstein Hall door in September 2025, a stolen mezuzah from a Weinstein dorm a week later, and a 2024 settlement of a federal antisemitism lawsuit. The Steinhardt building is named for Michael and Judy Steinhardt, donors who have contributed $10 million to the university and are known for supporting Jewish causes.
Official Statements & Responses
NYU spokesperson Wiley Norvell said the university was “shocked and deeply troubled” by the display and that Campus Safety acted “immediately” while cooperating with the NYPD. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force confirmed it is reviewing camera footage and may pursue hate-crime charges. NYU Hillel president Adina Fridman called the incident part of a “broader pattern in which antisemitism is increasingly dismissed or normalized under the guise of political expression.”
On-the-Ground Reactions
Students described the flag as “disgusting” and “hurtful.” Senior Luca Pasquini called it “just disgusting, actually. Kind of repulsive,” while nursing graduate Jiani Zou said it was “hurtful.” Max Bolen noted the flag’s intermittent visibility, making it difficult to track.
Criticism & Opposition
Fridman’s statement highlighted concerns that symbols tied to the Holocaust are being used to further political agendas, urging the university to uphold “dignity, safety, and respectful dialogue.” Student government leaders have previously called for the removal of the Steinhardt name from the building, citing the donor’s antiquities scandal.
Data & Statistics
The Anti-Defamation League’s 2025 audit recorded 860 antisemitic incidents in New York City—the nation’s highest count—and 139 in Bergen County, New Jersey. NYU’s own records show multiple hate-related incidents on campus within the past year.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Authorities have not identified who placed the flag, and it remains unclear which staff member removed it. Surveillance footage is under review, and no suspect has been named. The investigation is ongoing, and the NYPD has not announced any charges.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are shocked and deeply troubled that this hateful symbol expressing antisemitism was raised on a flagpole overlooking Washington Square Park.” — Wiley Norvell, NYU spokesperson
- “We are one community. We protect each other. And we will not let hate and division find a foothold on our campus.” — Wiley Norvell, NYU spokesperson
- “Symbols tied to the genocide of millions of Jews carry profound pain and trauma, and their use has no place in a campus community that values dignity, safety, and respectful dialogue,” — Adina Fridman, NYU Hillel president
- “It definitely looked like it was bobbing up and down, and it was hidden behind the wall so you couldn’t see it for like a solid minute and then it would come back,” — Max Bolen, Tisch senior
- “It’s just disgusting, actually. Kind of repulsive,” — Luca Pasquini, senior
- “It's hurtful,” — Jiani Zou, nursing graduate
What’s Next
The NYPD will continue reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses, with a tip line available for information. NYU has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward antisemitism and pledged to work with law-enforcement to prevent future incidents.
