{"id":66428,"date":"2023-12-04T14:21:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T22:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/home2\/vandals-spray-paint-demands-for-gaza-cease-fire-on-u-s-rep-adam-smiths-bellevue-home\/"},"modified":"2023-12-05T12:41:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T20:41:11","slug":"vandals-spray-paint-demands-for-gaza-cease-fire-on-u-s-rep-adam-smiths-bellevue-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/northwest\/vandals-spray-paint-demands-for-gaza-cease-fire-on-u-s-rep-adam-smiths-bellevue-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Vandals spray-paint demands for Gaza cease-fire on U.S. Rep. Adam Smith’s Bellevue home"},"content":{"rendered":"
Democrat Adam Smith, who represents the 9th Congressional District, including areas in Bellevue, Renton, Federal Way, Kent and Auburn, reported his Bellevue home vandalized the night of Nov. 30.<\/p>\n
The incident was reported to the relevant authorities – Bellevue Police Department and United States Capitol Police, said Jaelin O’Halloran, the spokesperson for Smith.<\/p>\n
In response, Smith released a statement Dec. 1, upset with the actions taken and regarded the vandalism as an act by people “advocating for a cease-fire in Israel and Gaza.” <\/p>\n
“This attack is sadly reflective of the coarsening of the political discourse in our country, and is completely unwarranted, unnecessary, and harmful to our political system,” Smith said. <\/p>\n
Photos of the vandalism released by Smith’s office show bold red phrases such as “Free Gaza,” “Cease Fire!” and “Baby Killer” spray-painted on his garage.<\/p>\n
“At this time we have no updates on this case,” a Bellevue Police spokesperson said in a Dec. 5 email when asked if detectives had any leads on a suspect or suspects.<\/p>\n
Smith criticized the extremist nature of both the left and right sides of the political spectrum, adding these actions have been condoned for too long and are a threat to democracy. <\/p>\n
Despite the vandalism, Smith said, he and his staff will continue to meet with groups spanning the political spectrum, “including Pro-Palestinian and left-wing activists.” <\/p>\n
“I remain open to meeting with these groups and discussing our differences and where we can come together in a productive and peaceful way,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
This is not the first vandalism case within the 9th District following the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7. The morning of Nov. 22, the Herzl-Ner Tamid synagogue on Mercer Island was spray-painted with anti-Israel phrases. The case is currently being investigated by the FBI, according to the City of Mercer Island. <\/p>\n
“The world is increasingly complicated and full of tough challenges that require strong leaders. I am committed to taking on these challenges and this act of vandalism has only made me more determined to remain in politics to ensure that we resolve our differences in a peaceful way that truly reflects representative democracy,” Smith said. <\/p>\n
Prior to the vandalism incident, Smith had made various statements<\/a> about the Israel-Hamas conflict.<\/p>\n “I remain steadfast in my support of Israel and its right to defend itself. I will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and repel future attacks,” Smith said in an Oct. 7 statement. <\/p>\n