“The Jews of Slovakia have in recent years been fortunately spared of overtly aggressive expressions of anti-Semitism, but it has become sadly clear that in the climate of xenophobia and hatred spiraling across Europe, every minority community is indeed a potential target for malicious attack,” said the World Jewish Congress.

 

BRATISLAVA—Unknown vandals have damaged dozens of gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in northern Slovakia.

59 gravestones were knocked down and damaged at the cemetery in the town of Namestovo.

Slovakia’s Jewish community called it “an unprecedented barbaric act.”

The cemetery that dates to the second half of the 18th century had been badly neglected for decades before the organisation started its renovation in 2010.

Police said they were investigating the attack.

In a statement, the World Jewish Congress said:“The Jews of Slovakia have in recent years been fortunately spared of overtly aggressive expressions of anti-Semitism, but it has become sadly clear that in the climate of xenophobia and hatred spiraling across Europe, every minority community is indeed a potential target for malicious attack.’’

The statement added:“This was an inexcusable and direct attack against the Jewish community, which must be condemned at the highest levels. All authorities in Slovakia and across Europe must make it clear that such expressions of disrespect and hatred will not be tolerated.’’

Around 3,000 Jews live in Slovakia.