A member of the public said they saw the incident and called 111.
Juliet Moses from the New Zealand Jewish Council was aware of the incident and said the targeting of Jewish properties was unacceptable.
“The police are aware and dealing with it. It is a community property and I know the address was mentioned [on social media platform TikTok] as one that should be targeted.
“There is a real escalation in antisemitism and graffiti is one of the manifestations of that.”
The vandalism follows growing unease in New Zealand in relation to the escalating crisis and the loss of human life in Gaza.
Moses said antisemitism had become heightened with politicians “ramping it up.”
At the weekend, Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick spoke at a pro-Palestine rally in Auckland sparking controversy.
Swarbrick chanted the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” referring to the River Jordan and the Mediterranean.
The well-known chant has been used by advocates for the freedom of Palestine since the 1960s. However, others, including members from the Jewish community, believe it to advocate for the annihilation of Israel.
The phrase was mentioned in the 2017 charter of Hamas, the Palestinian terror group which launched an assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7. Academic experts in Middle Eastern politics have said Swarbrick use of the phrase was unhelpful, divisive and inflammatory, while Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins called it a “very loaded statement” and didn’t want his MPs using the slogan.
Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt has also said New Zealand’s “social cohesion is being severely tested at the moment.
“I really urge political leaders to demonstrate leadership and to keep in mind all communities,” Hunt told RNZ.
“You can protest, you can make your views known, but without inflaming the situation, without generating fear amongst our neighbours, colleagues and constituents. People are protesting for peace, so let’s protest peacefully.”
Moses again called on leaders to call out antisemitism.
“Many people have strong views about what is happening on the other side of the world,” she said.
“However, as Kiwis, we must all strive to maintain a tolerant society and we call on leaders and authorities to make it clear that the antisemitism that is rapidly rising in all facets of life is unacceptable.”
Police confirmed a report of vandalism at the address on Margot St, Epsom, around 9.10pm on Tuesday evening.
“At this stage, our inquiries are in the very early stages to determine the full circumstances,” Inspector Jim Wilson, Auckland City East Area Commander said.
“We ask anyone with information or footage to please contact Police via our 105 phone service or online.”
Information could be sent using https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 with the reference number 31107/2097.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
