Anti-Israel activists vandalized the homes of multiple members of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents last week, accusing them of complicity in “genocide.”

In the early morning hours of July 3, at least four of the 18 regents had their driveways defaced with spray paint and fake blood, while one UW system employee was also victimized. Those targeted by the vandalism received a letter with a list of demands, including divestment from companies that fund military operations in Israel.

Vandals wrote “Regents are complicit in genocide” and “UW BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS” on driveways in red spray paint at two homes in Madison. Airhorns were used and left behind at both residences.

“This kind of conduct is not free expression or protected speech; it’s dangerous, unlawful, and unacceptable. We have contacted the authorities and are working closely with them,” UW spokesman Mark Pitsch told NR. “Anyone with information regarding these illegal activities should contact local law enforcement authorities and the UW-Madison Police Department.”

UW-Madison police department spokesman Marc Lovicott said UWPD “is acting as a resource to help route information and tips to the appropriate investigative agencies,” but is not conducting the investigation itself because the incidents occurred outside its jurisdiction.

Ring camera footage from one Madison home showed six people dressed in black who arrived on bicycles. At a different residence, a neighbor was awakened by a vandal blowing an airhorn at 3:40 a.m. and saw the person ride away on a bike.

“They were probably masked and hiding their identities. But oftentimes we can trace that video back to a meetup location or a gas station, even where they would buy the spray paint or something,” Madison police sergeant Matthew Baker said.

Police have increased patrols at all regents’ residences to prevent further defacement.

In 2024, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee each had pro-Palestinian encampments. Protests continued into the 2024-25 school year, including one at UW-Madison where demonstrators compared the Madison Police Department to the Ku Klux Klan. Neither school’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter claimed responsibility for last week’s vandalism incidents.

UW-Madison is under investigation by the Department of Education for its alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment.

Anti-Israel activists have also targeted the homes of university board members at the University of Michigan and the University of California in recent months.