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Hate graffiti reported at Jewish eatery

By Matthew Artz, Daily Planet Staff
Tuesday August 20, 2002

Berkeley counts record number
of hate crimes since Sept. 11
 

 

A Middle East peace supporter and falafel maker was shocked Sunday when she found the words “Holy Blood” scribbled in red on the storefront of her kosher restaurant on College Avenue. 

The incident at Chaya Mizrachi’s Holy Land Kosher Food may be the latest in a rash of post-Sept. 11 hate crimes in Berkeley. 

“This makes me feel very bad,” said Mizrachi, who emigrated from Israel 15 years ago. “I don’t sit in the White House. I make falafels. Why should they do this to me?” 

Mizrachi said that a child walking into her restaurant noticed the writing shortly after the restaurant opened for lunch Sunday. Restaurant workers were able to remove most of the ink, which appeared to come from a felt marker, but Mizrachi said the words, printed about an inch tall, are still noticeable. 

Police arrived after the lettering had been nearly erased. They have not officially labeled the defacement a hate crime, saying that state authorities make that determination. 

Mizrachi, however, has no doubt about the perpetrator’s motives. 

“They were trying to say something,” she said. “I think this was done by stupid people.” 

The defacing of the kosher restaurant is the latest in an upsurge of politically-motivated Berkeley crime.  

There were 20 reported hate crimes during the first four months of 2002, compared to just four during the same period last year, said Berkeley police Lt. Cynthia Harris. 

Several Jewish organizations have been among the victims. In March, a brick was thrown through the glass door of the Berkeley Hillel, and in April, bomb threats were called into local Jewish synagogues. 

Berkeley city officials say they are addressing the problem. 

At a July 23 City Council meeting, after weeks of back-and-forth debate on the issue, council unanimously passed a piece of hate crime legislation. The vote authorized the city manager to offer rewards of up to $5,000 for information on specified hate crimes. The legislation also increases police training for hate crime cases. 

An additional proposal to develop a separate police hate crimes unit like those in San Francisco and Oakland is being reviewed by city staff. 

The city will call a town hall meeting, tentatively scheduled for October, to share ideas on how to stop politically motivated crimes. 

Councilmemeber Kriss Worthington is hoping the meeting helps residents better understand the flawed logic behind hate crimes. 

“How does punishing a woman who runs a Jewish restaurant contribute to peace?” he asked. 

Mizrachi’s support of the Middle East peace process was highlighted in 1993 when, after the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords, she gave away free food at her Oakland restaurant.  

“For three days we gave free falafels to anyone who said they supported peace,” she said. “Now they put this near my window.” 

Police have no suspects. 

 

Contact reporter at berkeleydailyplanet.net.