Ex-EMT's Car with Swastika Decal and NY Plates Draws Outrage

A vehicle displaying a prominent swastika decal alongside New York State EMT license plates has ignited widespread condemnation and demands for an official probe, with critics labeling it a blatant act of antisemitism. The car, owned by former EMT John Kanjiram, was photographed in Closter, New Jersey, prompting New York State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger to urge the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to investigate the owner's credentials and potentially revoke the plates.

The incident came to light after images of the gray Cadillac sedan, parked on Lockwood Street, circulated online starting August 3, 2025, shared initially by the advocacy group StopAntisemitism on X (formerly Twitter). The vehicle features the decal "Isreal.com" across the trunk referencing Kanjiram's website and a large swastika symbol beside it. Community members expressed alarm on social media, with one X user stating, "This is our new normal," and another calling it "vile antisemitism" in a semi-official vehicle. Photos shared online also revealed Kanjiram's professional headshot and excerpts from his blog, where he brags about his hatred for Jews.

In a letter to DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder dated August 4, 2025, Assemblyman Yeger highlighted the potential dangers posed by the EMT plates, which could imply emergency authority or equipment, granting undue deference in crises. "I’m sure there will be some free-speech nonsense about a vehicle owner’s ‘right’ to paint his vehicle any way he’d like, but I don’t believe he has the right to a New York EMT plate, particularly if he is not actually an EMT," Yeger wrote. He requested verification of Kanjiram's certification status, suspecting grounds for revocation. Yeger shared the story on X.

Sources indicate Kanjiram's EMT certification expired in January 2015, over a decade ago, though DMV policy allows retention of such plates with ongoing registration fees, without routine checks on active status. Kanjiram's LinkedIn profile lists him as a "Full Stack Product Manager with 3x Startup & AI Experience," with no mention of current emergency medical services involvement. He has publicly sought new employment opportunities in recent months.

Kanjiram, in a blog post on his absolutely shocking, horrific, disgraceful Jew-hating Israel-hating site Isreal.com dated August 2nd, admitted to displaying the swastika and described a police visit to his home the previous night. He claimed the symbol represents peace and prosperity, rooted in ancient cultures like India and Native American traditions, interpreting it as the Big Dipper's rotation around the North Star for time-tracking purposes millennia ago. "God is Good, All the Time. All the Time, God is Good. Amen," he wrote. Kanjiram asserted his First Amendment rights, stating the Closter police officer confirmed no crime was committed, and they parted amicably.

Anyone who spends more than 2 minutes on his blog site will get a very rude and scary awakening as to what he really thinks about Jews and Israel. This is just one snippet of what he had to say about Ye's Heil Hitler song:

"I believe this song was a war cry sent by God. It belongs to a Real American Hero by the name of Ye.

 Art is art, no matter what you or I think of it. And it’s not up to me or anyone to decide what it means to you. To me, it describes authentic pain inflicted on us by evil and I believe everyone deserves to hear it. It was censored by all services, through ownership by the usual suspects.

Ye, your song helped me to get out of Satan’s grip at times when he wouldn’t let me continue with my mission. 

America would not have been saved, were it not for you.

I love you, brother.

John"

In fact, the post also details a confrontation with neighbor John Hernandez, a USMC veteran, over Hernandez's "We Stand with Israel" lawn sign, which Kanjiram called "satanic" and a "Devil’s sign." He alleged Israeli forces engage in organ harvesting from Palestinians and questioned the term "Jewish," suggesting it might be a "lie." Another neighbor, Gary Hoffson, joined to mediate, and Kanjiram described all parties as "good friends" despite tensions. In related blog content, Kanjiram criticized alleged "Israeli indoctrination" in American settings, such as a Taekwondo class featuring Star of David symbols, and responded to comments about a "blue star of death" in his child's classroom.

Local police in Closter did not immediately respond to inquiries, and no charges have been filed. Advocacy groups and online users have urged further action, with some tagging federal authorities like the FBI and calling for Kanjiram's exclusion from medical roles. The episode has fueled broader discussions on rising antisemitism in public spaces, with Yeger emphasizing the need to address hate symbols masquerading under free speech claims.

The DMV has not issued a public response to Yeger's letter, and Kanjiram has not commented further beyond his blog. The story continues to gain traction on social media.

Sources: Daily Voice, Newsbreak