Islamophobic graffiti at Montgomery County high school causes concern from local leaders

Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian graffiti discovered on the side of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, on Friday has led to condemnation from school and county leaders.

The message, left with blue and black paint, showed the message "(expletive) Muslims, Nuke Palestine," alongside a Star of David, a symbol associated with the Jewish faith.

The school's principal, Gregory Miller, in a letter to school family members, said Montgomery County Public Schools is working to remove the graffiti. Montgomery County police said they began an investigation after being alerted at around 7:22 a.m.

Montgomery County, Maryland, is among the nation's most religiously diverse counties. It has seen nearly 300 bias incidents at schools in 2024, many of which also targeted those of the Jewish faith, according to a report released last year.

7News Reporter Lianna Golden also spoke with County Councilmember Evan Glass, who helped establish the Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force in 2023.

"What happened today is deeply disturbing. It’s scary for so many members of our community," Glass said. "Everybody is welcome here. Everybody should be respected here, and nobody should live in fear of where they pray."

You can read and watch the WJLA story here.