Graffiti vandalism at Roskilde University sparks controversy over pro-Hamas messages

Students and staff at Roskilde University arrived Tuesday to discover extensive graffiti vandalism on campus buildings. The graffiti included messages praising the late Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, believed to be a key figure behind the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. One wall featured the phrase, “Rest in power, Yahya Sinwar, long live resistance.”

Other graffiti compared Zionists to Nazis and included statements indicating that “Zionists should be afraid.” Additionally, allegations painted the university’s leadership, including Rector Hanne Leth and Director Henrik Zobbe, as “proud, genocidal racists.” This incident follows previous vandalism on campus, where messages such as “one solution, Intifada revolution” had appeared.

The university’s administration has reported the graffiti to the police and plans to remove it as quickly as possible. Minister of Education Christina Egelund condemned the vandalism as serious and called for strict consequences for those responsible, suggesting that perpetrators should be expelled if they are students.

The Palestinian student group RUC Intifada, known for organizing several demonstrations at Roskilde University, shared images of the graffiti on social media, welcoming the “awakening” of RUC. They have also demanded that the university boycott Israeli institutions and condemn Israeli actions.

The vandalism has raised concerns among Jewish students at the university, who feel increasingly unsafe. Henri Goldstein, leader of the Jewish Community, described the graffiti as “unacceptable” and called for a more inclusive environment at the university.

In response to the criticisms, the university administration expressed understanding of the concerns but emphasized their commitment to maintaining a supportive atmosphere for all students.