anti-Israel protesters
anti-Israel protestersReuters

The office of a political-science professor and outspoken defender of Israel in Montreal was vandalized Tuesday night with anti-Semitic slogans.

The words “Heil Israel”, written in French, were found scrawled on Julien Bauer’s office door at the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Along with the phrase, referencing the infamous Nazi slogan “Heil Hitler”, a message was found accusing Bauer, who is Jewish, of being “stupid.”

While Bauer said he did not believe that the majority of his students, despite their vocal opposition to many of his view, would perpetrate such an attack, the remote location of his office and the fact the vandals knew to use an accent on Israel lead him to believe students were involved.

“Most of them wouldn’t do it”, he said, according to The National Post, “but when a small group are stupid enough to believe that Hamas is a cause to celebrate, someone encouraged by this atmosphere of hate decided to go a step further and spray graffiti.”

Bauer said that the words had been cleaned and he had received an email from the department head calling the incident “unacceptable.”

The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs condemned the act, but said it was pleased at the university’s response.

“There are all sorts of acts of intimidation against Jewish professors who declare their solidarity with Israel,” said David Ouellette, associate director of public affairs for the Centre, according to the Montreal Gazette.

“I am confident the investigation of UQAM’s security will find the culprits,” he said.

Ouellette added that it is unfortunate that there are always “radical elements who interpret tensions in the Middle East as a license to commit acts that are contrary to Quebec values.”