Eight San Jose High School Students Form Human Swastika with Hitler’s ‘Death to Jews’ Quote, Triggering National Outcry

Susan Estrich
Monday, 15 December 2025

Eight students from Branham High School in San Jose, California posted social media images forming a human swastika and included a quote from Adolf Hitler calling for the killing of all Jews.

Rabbi Yigal Rosenberg of Chabad of Santa Clara told local reporters he did not know whether the gesture was intended as a joke or prank, but “it’s another thing if you post it online and have thousands of people watch and unfortunately like, laugh, comment, give some sort of emoji — that’s taking it to a whole new level.”

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan condemned the incident on X: “What happened at Branham High School was not a joke, not a prank, and not self-expression — it was an act of hatred. The fact that this was planned and posted publicly makes it even more disturbing. This behavior has no place in our community and it will not be tolerated. I stand with our Jewish residents and support real accountability for everyone involved.”

The school district is addressing the incident by disciplining students, investigating as a hate crime, and collaborating with non-profit organizations to create educational opportunities about antisemitism, hate symbols, and historical atrocities.

Superintendent Robert Bravo emphasized: “Our response cannot be limited to discipline alone. We are committed to using this incident as an opportunity to deepen education around antisemitism, hate symbols and the historical atrocities associated with them.”

Approximately 200 students walked out of school in support of Jewish peers. The incident has raised urgent questions about the students’ knowledge of the Holocaust and the significance of the swastika.

Tyler Gregory, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, described the incident as “unadulterated, unafraid antisemitism.”

Both the FBI and the Anti-Defamation League have reported a surge in anti-Semitic hate crimes since October 7, 2023, following the Hamas attack and the subsequent conflict.

The ADL recorded more incidents of anti-Semitism in 2024 than in any year since it began tracking 46 years ago.

Susan Estrich noted that President Donald Trump has initiated a “war on universities” in the name of antisemitism, which she fears is only spreading antisemitism.