Belfast Synagogue Vandalized Twice in One Weekend
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
A window was smashed on successive days at a synagogue in Belfast, Ireland.
The vandalism at the Belfast Hebrew Congregation took place on Friday night and the following day, the BBC reported.
In the latter incident, the replacement window was shattered.
Police are treating the vandalism as a religious hate crime.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said it was “totally unacceptable” for places of worship to be targeted, the BBC reported.
Gerry Kelly, a member of the legislative assembly, condemned the attack.
“There can be no place for attacks on any place of worship, regardless of the religion or denomination,” Kelly said, according to Belfast’s News Letter. “The local Jewish community makes a valuable contribution to our society and there is no justification for hate crimes.”
It was not clear whether the attack was related to Israel’s operation in the Gaza Strip.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
