Wednesday, October 21, 2026
West Hempstead commuters discovered swastikas carved into the backs of multiple seats aboard a Long Island Rail Road train on the West Hempstead Branch on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
“After being discovered, the offensive vandalism on the back of one seat was rapidly removed," a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority told the Herald in an emailed statement.
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks spoke in support of West Hempstead’s Jewish community.
“There is no place for antisemitism in Nassau County or our nation, and we must make that abundantly clear whenever we are confronted with it,” Nicks said. “Today and always, I stand proudly with West Hempstead's vibrant and resilient Jewish community in denouncing this cowardly act of bigotry.”
Several residents have shared news of the vandalism with their neighbors and on social media. West Hempstead resident Moshe Hill, who is also running for a seat in the Nassau County legislature, said this type of graffiti is part of a broader pattern of antisemitism.
“We're a strong community,” Hill said. “We don't let these things harm us and hurt us and take us down. It only strengthens our resolve to grow and move forward.”
More to follow.
