A group of Jewish tourists in northern Wales was filmed dismantling a long-standing stone cross on a hillside and using the rocks to create a Star of David in its place, the Daily Mail reported. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media, took place on the slopes of the Great Orme, a limestone headland overlooking the seaside town of Llandudno.
The 60-foot cross, constructed from loose stones, is believed to have been positioned on the hill for more than half a century. For decades, the cross has been a familiar sight for visitors climbing toward the summit, which offers views across Snowdonia, Anglesey, and the Irish Sea. Local residents said the landmark has long been regarded as part of the cultural landscape of the town.
Footage posted on a local Facebook group showed several young people, some of whom appeared to be wearing kippot, kicking at the outline of the cross and carrying stones away from its position. The group was then seen rearranging the rocks into the form of a six-pointed Star of David, further along the hillside. The video did not confirm whether the star was completed before the group left the area.
The footage prompted an immediate backlash online. Local residents described the removal of the Christian symbol as disrespectful and provocative. One commenter wrote: "This cross has been on the Orme for years… show respect to any religion." Others called the act "disgraceful" and "shocking," while some suggested that if the situation were reversed, with a Jewish symbol dismantled to form a cross, it would be condemned as a hate crime.
By the end of the weekend, the cross had been restored to its original state by local volunteers. Scott Puddey, one of those involved in the effort, said he helped replace the stones not for religious reasons but because the cross had become a fixture of the area. "It’s been a part of Llandudno for more than 50 years and cared for by locals and holidaymakers alike," he told the Daily Mail.
Some residents also voiced concern that the actions of the tourists could unfairly affect perceptions of the Jewish community, which has had a presence in Llandudno for over a century. The town has historically welcomed Jewish families, many of whom have spent summers in the area for generations. Community leaders worried that the incident could lead to an increase in prejudice or resentment.
Professor Nathan Abrams, who has studied Jewish history in northwest Wales, told the Daily Mail that while the behavior of the group was troubling, it should not overshadow the long and positive heritage of Jews in the region. He added that the incident had already revealed underlying antisemitic sentiments in some online responses.
The cross is one of several designs created from stones on the Great Orme, with others spelling out names or simple shapes. Believed to date back to the 1960s or 1970s, the cross has stood as the largest and most prominent of these symbols, known to both locals and tourists as part of the landscape. Its temporary removal and replacement with another religious icon reignited debate over respect for cultural and religious landmarks in public spaces.