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Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Norway: Jewish Cemeteries Vandalised; Poland: Local Clean-up Initiative;Germany: 38 Acts of Vandalism in 2008;Romania: Restoration of Vandalised Bucharest Cemetery |
Gravestones Destroyed at Osijek Jewish Cemetery
April 27, 2010 – In the Croatian city of Osijek, twelve gravestones were destroyed at the local Jewish cemetery. While it is not confirmed whether the destruction is a result of vandalism, it is unlikely that weather was responsible for the damage.
Municipal authorities have agreed to help restore the destroyed burial monuments at the 19th-century cemetery. Read the original article.
Pristoupim Jewish Cemetery Vandalised
April 28, 2010 – Vandals toppled more than 90 gravestones, breaking ten, at the Pristoupim Jewish Cemetery near Prague. According to local police, the acts occurred between April 21 and 26.
The 18th-century cemetery, which is no longer used for burials, has been desecrated twice in recent years. Read the original article.
Clean-up Initiative at Sokolow Malopolski Jewish Cemetery
May 9, 2010 – In the Polish village of Sokolow Malopolski, a group of non-Jewish Polish villagers cleaned up the local Jewish cemetery. In the course of the initiative, which was co-ordinated with the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ), the participants removed debris and rubbish from the 18th-century burial ground. Read the original article.
In 2009, 38 Acts of Vandalism on Jewish Cemeteries in Germany
May 15, 2010 – According to federal authorities in Germany, 38 acts of vandalism occurred on the country’s Jewish cemeteries in 2009. The data, which was presented to the federal parliament, gives a breakdown of the acts according to motivation and region where they occurred. In 35 cases, right-wing extremists are believed to be behind the desecrations.
In four cases, the police caught the perpetrators, whilst the remaining 34 are still unresolved. 2008 and 2007 had seen 30 and 53 cases of vandalism, respectively. Since 2000, a total of 509 acts of vandalism have been registered in Germany. Read the original article (in German).
Oslo Jewish Cemetery Vandalised
May 15, 2010 – Several gravestones were vandalised at the Old Jewish Cemetery in Oslo. The police have launched an investigation. Established in 1869, the site is protected under cultural heritage legislation. Read the original article.
Thessaloniki Jewish Cemetery Vandalised
May 16, 2010 – At the Thessaloniki Jewish Cemetery, vandals set fire to a grave using rags and petroleum, and sprayed Nazi symbols and anti-Semitic slogans on several gravestones and parts of the wall surrounding the site. Local police have arrested three suspects, and the Greek Jewish Community issued letters to the government condemning the attack.Read the original article.
Desecration at Strassfurt Jewish Cemetery
May 27, 2010 – During the night of May 26, unknown perpetrators painted Nazi symbols on numerous gravestones at the Jewish cemetery in the German town of Strassfurt. The police have launched an investigation and the municipality created a special bank account to collect donations for the restoration of the gravestones. Read the original article.
Restoration of Vandalised Gravestones at Bucharest Giurgiului Jewish Cemetery
May 31, 2010 – Following the acts of vandalism at Bucharest’s Giurgiului Jewish Cemetery in October 2008, restoration of the 131 destroyed gravestones and monuments has begun. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania and the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad are joining forces to complete the restoration works. The estimated cost is 53,000 USD, out of which the U.S. Commission is contributing 46,000 USD. (Source: Press release by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania).
