Swastika and ‘kikes get out’ daubed at Leeds synagogue
Vile anti-Semitic graffiti found at Etz Chaim shul causes 'widespread upset and concern'
A synagogue in Leeds has been defaced with a swastika and anti-Semitic graffiti which has caused ‘widespread upset and concern’.
“Vile” messages including “kikes get out” and a Nazi symbol was found at Etz Chaim orthodox shul this week.
The swastika symbol was drawn in red onto a signpost for the synagogue alongside the word ‘kikes’, an offensive term for Jews. The road in front of the entrance to the shul was defaced with ‘kikes get out’.
West Yorkshire Police told Jewish News: “At 8:41am today, police received a report of anti-Semitic graffiti at the Etz Chaim Synagogue, in Harrogate Road, Leeds.
Officers attended the scene and a hate crime has been recorded and is under investigation.
Officers from the Inner North East Neighbourhood Policing Team are aware of the incident and are increasing their patrols of the area to reassure the community and are liaising with key representatives.”
Labour MP Fabian Hamilton told Jewish News: ““As a Jew, the vandalism at the Etz Chaim synagogue in Alwoodley was particularly hurtful for me on a personal level, but to happen in my own constituency was even more of a disappointment.”
It is important we treat anti-Semitism the same way we oppose all forms of hate, regardless of religion – and respond by promoting tolerance, love and unity.”
This was not only vandalism, but an anti-Semitic hate crime and an attack on an entire community. Make no mistake, there is no place for this hate in Leeds North East – a constituency that prides itself on multiculturalism where people of all faiths, and none, work and live together peacefully.”
They urge any witnesses to come forward, saying it is believed to have happened overnight.
The synagogue is situated in on Harrogate Rd in Alwoodley, an area of north Leeds with a significant Jewish community.
Etz Chaim synagogue have been contacted for comment.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
