(1 Jul 1998) English/Nat
Anti-semitism in Russia is on the rise.
In the most recent incident, more than twenty tombs were defaced and vandalised at Moscow's main Jewish cemetery.
The attack comes just one month after a bomb blast ripped through a nearby synagogue.
In an otherwise beautiful and serene spot, reckless acts of vandalism have been perpetrated.
Scores of Jewish tombstones have been defaced.
Splashed with rude slogans, overturned or cut in half.
With devilish faces painted atop careful sketches of the beloved deceased, Russia's Jewish community has to bear yet another act of anti-semitism.
In the centre of the cemetery there is a slogan of hate and misunderstanding.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Over twenty graves were broken and spray-painted, there were writings "Death to the Jews" in the cemetery
SUPERCAPTION: Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chairman of Rabbinical Alliance for the CIS
There have been many attacks recently on the Jewish community in Moscow.
The main Marina Roshina synagogue has been burned and bombed more than once -- the most recent attack just one month ago.
Synagogue workers and Moscow worshipers are still repairing the damage from last month's bomb blast.
Even as repairs continued at Marina Roshina, Moscow's Jewish community was hit with the news of the cemetery vandalism.
In a country renowned for its anti-semitism this most recent attack is yet another page in Russia's long history of anti-semitism.
On May 14th a powerful explosive placed under a car near the synagogue partially destroyed the place of worship.
Russian and Jewish officials alike called the attack attempted murder.
Although no one was killed in the blast it occurred just 15 minutes after
worshippers had left a service in the building.
The rabbi believes whoever placed the bomb definitely meant to do harm.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Again the Jewish community here in Moscow was attacked, and after the bombing of the synagogue and trying to burn down another synagogue here in Moscow we have seen again the hands of vandalism in this city."
SUPERCAPTION: Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chairman of Rabbinical Alliance for the CIS
But despite this most recent attack of ill will the Jewish community does not feel that Russia's general population is hostile; it believes that there are certain small groups of people that are responsible for whipping up anti-semitism.
But the relatives of those graves which were defaced may not feel that same sense of security.
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