The Jewish community in Germany is outraged by the attacks on dozens of graves in what is believed to be the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe.
The EJA (European Jewish Association) recently said that the graves were desecrated in Worms, a German city.
According to information provided by CBN News, thousands of people visit the site each year, and the oldest tombstones are said to date back to 1058.
International media speculate that between 50 and 100 graves were vandalized.
Menachem Margolin, rabbi and president of the European Jewish Association, condemned the act as “anti-semitism” active during the pandemic.
“There is no doubt that the Coronavirus crisis has brought about a sharp increase in anti-Semitic discourse on the Internet, and now that most of the closures have been lifted, unfortunately, we see how the toxic discourse on social networks is changing.”
“We hope that the German government will act quickly not only to renovate the cemetery but also to formally declare acceptance of the comprehensive program to combat anti-Semitism that we initiated, which includes a substantial change in the curriculum in the state education system.”
Jewish Graves Vandalized in Europe’s Oldest Jewish Cemetery https://t.co/zfV1UY5iqT
— CBN News (@CBNNews) July 13, 2020
A wake-up call to the German government
Rabbi Joseph Havlin, head of the Frankfurt court near Worms, commented on Rabbi Margolin’s feelings.
“We are witnessing, and not for the first time, the desecration of German cemeteries along with a disturbing rise in anti-Semitism throughout the public sphere.”
“We call on the German government to declare an uncompromising fight against anti-Semitism to ensure that such acts are not repeated,” he added.
The German police are said to have arrested a 47-year-old woman because she is believed to be connected to the events.
But it is currently unknown who is responsible for the vandalism or whether there is an older mind on top of this.
Dozens of Jewish graves and tombstones were shattered and desecrated in the ancient Jewish cemetery in Worms, Germanyhttps://t.co/HVT5AsWpvz
— StandWithUsUK (@StandWithUsUK) July 13, 2020