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Is Rahm Emanuel OK? Vandals deface Jewish-American politician's home with antisemitic graffiti

Rahm Emanuel, the US Ambassador to Japan, became the victim of a hate crime as vandals defaced his house with graffiti

UNION PIER, MICHIGAN: US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel's Michigan home in Union Pier became the target of an antisemitic attack over the weekend, reported Daily Mail.

Vandals defaced the house of one of the nation's most prominent Jewish politicians by spraypainting the word "NAZIS" in black paint on the fence outside.

Emanuel was in Chicago when the incident occurred, and there is no information on whether his family was in the house at the time.

There are no reports of anyone breaking into the house, and the ambassador made quick arrangements to remove the word.

According to FBI Director Christopher Wray, antisemitism has reached "historical levels" in the US after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

Who is Rahm Emanuel?

Emanuel, 63, a Jewish-American, is the closest confidant of former president Barack Obama. He served as the one-time Chief of Staff for Obama from 2009 to 2010. Before entering the White House, he was a member of the House of Representatives, representing Illinois from 2003 to 2009.

Leaving his position at the White House, he ran for the Mayor of Chicago and remained in power from 2011 to 2019. In 2021, the Biden administration appointed him as the ambassador to Japan.

Rahm Emanuel's neighbors and community condemn attack

Emanuel is the latest high-profile victim of antisemitism in the country.

"Our family is very proud of how our friends, neighbors, and the community have rallied to our support and in a singular voice in condemning hatred and bigotry," he told the Chicago Sun-Times after the attack.

He also thanked the "local law enforcement for their diligence, swiftness, and seriousness in which they have addressed the crime."

Tom McNulty, Gordon Beach Homeowners Association board president, condemned the hate crime. "We in Gordon Beach condemn this hate crime, as well as the national increase in intolerance, bigotry, and criminal activity based on hate," he said.

"Gordon Beach does not tolerate prejudice, bigotry, racism, hatred or violence, and we encourage anyone who has experienced an act of hate to report it to the Berrien County Police," McNulty added.

'Stop the hate'

David Axelrod, the former adviser to President Obama, posted a picture of the vandalism on X. He wrote, "This was scrawled on the fence outside the MI home of @RahmEmanuel. It's despicable. It's disgusting. It's just one more flashing red light. Stop the hate. Stop the antisemitism and Islamophobia. We know where it leads!"

Jeffrey Robins, former US Delegate to UN Human Rights Commission, shared Axelrod's post and wrote, "Unfortunately, it is no longer where it leads. Sadly, we are there."