ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – University of Michigan President Santa Ono and Chief Investment Officer Erik Lundberg found their off-campus residences vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti on the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
According to The Michigan Daily, the word “intifada,” meaning uprising or resistance, along with “coward” and “divest now,” were spray-painted on Ono’s West Bloomfield home and sidewalk. Similar messages defaced Lundberg’s residence according to The Detroit News.
Vandalism sparks outrage among U-M Regents.
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U-M Regent Mark Bernstein condemned the vandalism as an “assaultive act of intimidation by the antisemitic mob,” while Regent Ron Weiser questioned the effectiveness of such tactics, calling the vandalism “despicable” and pointless. Past board chair Sarah Hubbard vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable, labeling the incidents as unacceptable.
Regent Jordan Acker said about the vandalism, “We’re elected officials – we understand it is the job of elected officials to hear grievances from our constituents. But this is not that. This is targeted harassment and it’s criminal.”
Tensions on campus boil over into destructive acts.
The vandalism follows months of student protests at the University of Michigan, demanding the university divest from companies with ties to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Earlier demonstrations included leaving body bags and fake blood-stained toys outside regents’ homes. Despite these pressures, U-M officials have maintained that the university’s investment policies won’t be swayed by political demands.
Law enforcement and FBI investigating incidents.
The West Bloomfield Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, has launched an investigation into the vandalism. Authorities described the acts as targeted attacks, and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Phil Pacheco at 248-975-8905.
This vandalism incident adds to a growing list of anti-Israel actions on and around the U-M campus, reflecting a rising tide of tension and activism linked to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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