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A mural in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, depicted a Star of David transforming into a swastika, alongside the words “The irony of becoming what you once hated” and imagery of destruction in Gaza — casting Jews as Nazis and using Holocaust imagery to accuse them of committing similar crimes in Gaza.
The display remained in place even after local Jewish organizations and the Milwaukee City Council condemned it.
In September 2024, retired Rabbi Peter Mehler and his son, Zechariah “Zee” Mehler, dismantled the mural using a hammer and other tools in full view of security cameras. They said they understood the act was illegal but viewed the display as a threat to the local Jewish community.
On Wednesday, a Milwaukee court ordered them to pay $1,000 in restitution. Peter Mehler pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and received a $50 fine. Zee Mehler, who pleaded guilty, received a withheld sentence and 25 hours of community service.
Hamas Praise Interrupts Court Proceedings
The mural’s owner, Ihsan Atta, praised Hamas while addressing the court. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jack Dávila cut him off, and Atta briefly walked out before deputies returned him to complete the hearing.
After the verdict, Atta posted a video calling the proceedings a “kangaroo court” and claimed, “We must have judges that are on the Epstein files, because we’ve got clowns running the courthouse.” The remark drew directly on conspiracy tropes long used to target Jews.
“What we did was illegal and needed to be answered for,” Zee Mehler said. “But at the same time, what we saw was a very strong response from the city and the court that showed that they have no patience or time for this anti-Israel narrative. They recognize the way that it has spread antisemitism, and they recognize the way that it’s caused so much global harm to the Jewish community.”
A public display cast Jews as Nazis. Its creator praised Hamas. Those who removed it were penalized. The sequence of events speaks volumes about contemporary antisemitism.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
