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“Dozens” of Jewish graves destroyed in Eritrea


Vandals have attacked the Jewish cemetery in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, destroying “dozens” of Jewish graves.

A Jewish community moved to the area at the turn of the 20th Century and lived a relatively peaceful life free from serious antisemitic incidents, though the Jewish community has since relocated, mainly to Israel. The cemetery and a local Synagogue are now out of use.

Danny Goldschmidt, of the Jewish heritage museum in Tel Aviv, commented that “the cemetery suffered vandalism and a large number of graves were defaced…the police have yet to make an arrest”. He also remarked that there was no known history of antisemitism in the City.

The damage to many of the graves is heavy, and the study stone structures would have required serious effort to damage, probably requiring the assistance of equipment, indicating that this is likely premeditated.

Last week we reported a firebomb attack at a Jewish school in Tunisia. Five people have since been arrested.