Hundreds of Jewish graves vandalised in France

Hundreds of Jewish graves have been subjected to antisemitic vandalism at a cemetery in eastern France, near the border with Germany.

Just as Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, said the situation was now so bad that European Jews should immigrate to Israel, the 400 graves in Sarre-Union in Alsace were desecrated with swastikas and Nazi slogans.

The headstones were kicked over and desecrated with red paint.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted that everything possible will be done to catch those responsible for such an "ignoble and anti-Semitic act, an insult to memory." He also urged the whole of France to be vigilant against such "messages of hate".

The number of anti-Semitic attacks has recently increased in France. A kosher supermarket in Paris was one of the sites attacked by Islamist gunmen in the shootings last month that left 17 people dead.

Bernard Cazeneuve, French interior minister, was visiting the site of the Copenhagen shootings when he said the country would "not tolerate this latest attack which harms the values all French people share."

He added: "This was an odious act against religious freedom and tolerance. France will not tolerate this latest attack which harms the values all French people share."

related articles
Former Chief Rabbi: British Jews fear for their safety
Former Chief Rabbi: British Jews fear for their safety

Former Chief Rabbi: British Jews fear for their safety

Lord Sacks: Religious terrorism could continue for at least \'another generation\'
Lord Sacks: Religious terrorism could continue for at least 'another generation'

Lord Sacks: Religious terrorism could continue for at least 'another generation'

News
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds

Churches across the UK are expecting fuller pews this Christmas, as new research suggests a significant rise in the number of people planning to attend services and church-run events over the festive season.

ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial
ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial

The Board of Inquiry issued a short statement on Friday stating that there was “probable cause to present” ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood “for trial for violation of Canon 2 of this Title.”

Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message
Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message

The BBC has invited Bishop Mariann Budde, the US bishop who challenged President Donald Trump at an inauguration service in January, to give a Christmas message.

Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack
Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack

Christian leaders in Australia have expressed their solidarity with the country's grief-stricken Jewish community after a deadly terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday night.