Simmons University Hillel’s temporary hut for a Jewish festival has been vandalized with “antisemitic messaging” about the Israel-Hamas war, according to the student group.

The Hillel sukkah — a shelter built to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot — was defaced with the phrase, “Gaza Liberation Sukkah.”

It’s the latest vandalism incident on a local college campus regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

“We are appalled by the recent antisemitism that disrupted the holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah,” Simmons University Hillel posted. “Vandalism and antisemitic messaging are deplorable and cannot be allowed on a campus dedicated to learning, leadership and inclusion.”

During Sukkot, a sukkah serves as a home where Jews pray, eat and sometimes sleep. Guests are traditionally welcomed into the sukkah.

“When this religious symbol and the values it stands for are co-opted through vandalism to make political statements, it sends a clear message: Jewish students are not welcome to openly celebrate and practice our customs,” Simmons University Hillel added.

Antisemitic incidents have spiked across the U.S. in the year since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.

At least 1,200 of the more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents happened on college campuses, according to the ADL. In the same period a year before, ADL recorded about 200 incidents, representing a 500% increase.

“We will combat the staggering rise in anti-Jewish hatred as a community, with strength,” Simmons University Hillel wrote.

In addition to the sukkah incident, ADL New England also received reports of Simmons University Hillel staff and students “being accosted by individuals who tore up their flyers at a Birthright sign-up desk.”

“The university must investigate both incidents and address the increased hostility targeting Jewish students and Jewish groups on campus,” ADL New England posted.

Over Simchat Torah, the Hillel Sukkah at Simmons University was vandalized with the words “Gaza Liberation Sukkah.” JVP at Simmons shared a photo of this vandalism, saying, “This is not antisemitism,” and captioned the photo, “Drop Hillel. Drop this bs.” pic.twitter.com/9gezAY2xGX

— Jewish on Campus (@JewishonCampus_) October 29, 2024

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Simmons University President Lynn Perry Wooten denounced the “unacceptable act” on campus.

“Simmons condemns the antisemitic vandalism of a Jewish religious symbol on our campus,” Wooten said in a statement. “This unacceptable act is being actively investigated as a potential hate crime.

“While we have not yet been able to determine whether the individual involved is a member of our community, we are committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions,” the president added. “The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority. Speech or behavior that is threatening, harassing, or intimidating are not protected forms of expression and will not be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, the Simmons University chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace, a pro-Palestine group, called the vandalism of the sukkah “not antisemitism.”

“Drop hillel. Drop this bs,” Simmons JVP posted.

The group noted that “Gaza Solidarity Sukkahs” have been put up across the country by anti-Israel students.

“The wording on the side of the sukkah is quite clearly meant to represent these Gaza Solidarity Sukkahs,” Simmons JVP wrote.

“To call this antisemitism is dangerous,” the group added. “Hillel and Simmons University has a consistent problem with conflating Zionism and Judaism… Claims of antisemitism are consistently used by Zionist rhetoric to justify surveillance, violence, and racism.”