Vandals targeted the Blackley Jewish cemetery in North Manchester, England twice in two weeks, causing an estimated £100,000 of damage.
The Jewish Chronicle reported that about 56 graves were damaged, including seven belonging to one family, in an attack believed to have taken place the night of June 22. Some stones were toppled; some were smashed.
Swastikas and antisemitic graffiti were also painted and scratched onto historic headstones dating back to the 1900s.
Vandals’ footprints still remain stamped on top of some graves, evidence of the running kicks required to knock down the heavy headstones.
The JC reported that swastikas and other anti-Jewish graffiti had taken place at the cemetery two weeks earlier.
British MP Eric Pickles, the British Communities Secretary, condemned the attack as “a truly appalling and sickening crime which has shocked the entire community.”
He said police investigations were ongoing and extra patrols were being deployed to the area over the coming days.
See TV news report — with videos and pictures of the vandalism, as well as reaction interviews
3 comments on “Vandalism at Manchester Jewish Cemetery”
History repeats itself: Jews have been always scape goats and target of mass murder. In addition, Europe is gradually becoming a muslim continent with increasing anti jewish manifestations, hence, jews should leave Europe as soon as possible.
As a Jew of (almost) venerable age I’m not really surprised. Ever since we were accused of the murder of Jesus, sickos and bigots have targeted us. That the ultra-orthodox among us look and behave differently from the rest of the population helps the process along, though I don’t advance this as a reason for them to abandon their activities. I don’t even find the vandalism especially newsworthy. Why give the swine the publicity?
Alert: the number of Jews in France departing for Israel is rising( N Y T June 20)//something going on not willing to be observed by the E U,just the opposite:also Spain and Italy warning for Israel regarding trade and settlements.By all means just these countries are talking about International Law,and having never “cleaned up”their own mess causing a lot of misery(see Gerta Taro by Irme Schaber,A Biography/Photograph-Reporter in Spanish Civil War.Jonas Verlag,1994,Marburg)