The New Zealand Herald reports that a headstone marking the resting place of several Jews was vandalized severely overnight in the country’s Wanganui District. The grave was smashed with a sledgehammer and a swastika was painted on the tombstone, located in the Jewish section of the local cemetery. The vandals even stole parts of the headstone.
"It was a substantial attack and even though it is a reinforced concrete structure, they've still managed to crack the monument and take several large chunks from it," Wanganui District Council's recreation and culture manager, Keith Hindson told the Herald. "It's the worst attack I've seen."
About a month ago, 16 graves were vandalized in Wellington, New Zealand.
New Zealand Jewish Council president David Zwartz, of Wellington, said he was saddened by the Wanganui vandalism, but the community would rebuild and rededicate the gravestone. "We'll have a rededication service once it's repaired, which will hopefully involve some of the descendants of the people whose names are on the headstone."
The rise in anti-Semitic vandalism in New Zealand followed tension with Israel after two Israelis caught trying to obtain a New Zealand passport, were accused of being Mossad agents. Following that episode, New Zealand imposed various diplomatic sanctions on Israel.
"It was a substantial attack and even though it is a reinforced concrete structure, they've still managed to crack the monument and take several large chunks from it," Wanganui District Council's recreation and culture manager, Keith Hindson told the Herald. "It's the worst attack I've seen."
About a month ago, 16 graves were vandalized in Wellington, New Zealand.
New Zealand Jewish Council president David Zwartz, of Wellington, said he was saddened by the Wanganui vandalism, but the community would rebuild and rededicate the gravestone. "We'll have a rededication service once it's repaired, which will hopefully involve some of the descendants of the people whose names are on the headstone."
The rise in anti-Semitic vandalism in New Zealand followed tension with Israel after two Israelis caught trying to obtain a New Zealand passport, were accused of being Mossad agents. Following that episode, New Zealand imposed various diplomatic sanctions on Israel.