HOUSE OF ISRAEL IN BALBOA PARK VANDALIZED

The House of Israel in Balboa Park announced it would close down until further notice after a window at the international cottage was smashed this week, officials said.

Ruth Mastron, president of the international cottage, said in a Facebook post that the vandalism had occurred Wednesday night and that no one had been inside at the time.

She added that it was the second time her volunteers had called the police this week, but did not expand on what had occurred during the previous incident.

“I continue to believe in the value of our core mission to welcome, inform and educate about our wonderful country of Israel, ancient homeland of the Jewish people,” Mastron said. “But after a day of reflection, consultation and soulsearching I’ve concluded that we cannot guarantee the safety of volunteers, neighboring houses and visitors.”

Mastron said the international cottage would reopen once they could ensure the safety of everyone at the cultural center.

The San Diego Police Department confirmed they were investigating the reported vandalism.

The county’s Jewish and Islamic communities have reported safety concerns since the war between Israel and Hamas, a militant group labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, began on Oct. 7.

Local residents from both communities who have attended vigils and demonstrations over the last two weeks have expressed fear of being targeted by hate.

“There is no known clear threat at this point … But there is a heightened level of tension, and we’re seeing it at these protests,” said Heidi Gantwerk, president of the Jewish Federation of San Diego. “People have been feeling that stress.”

Last week, flyers with images of Israelis who have reportedly been kidnapped by

Hamas were pasted to the trees outside the Islamic Center of San Diego campus, according to police. Investigators said they were looking into whether it was a hate incident.

San Diego police patrols have increased for places of worship since the IsraelHamas war began, Lt. Adam Sharki said last week. Officers and command staff have been made available to residents concerned about security and community resources.

“No one should be threatening a mosque or synagogue,” Gantwerk said. “There’s no room for Islamophobia, there’s no room for antisemitism.”