Historic Jewish graves desecrated in Auckland

[Behind the Aegis]

Source: J-Wire

Around twenty Jewish graves in a historic central Auckland cemetery have been desecrated with anti-Semitic graffiti at some point in the last 48 hours.

Fifteen of the graves had large black swastikas sprayed on them, while others were covered with the number “88”. One grave was sprayed with “f*** Israel”, while another said “don’t f*** with us”. There did not appear to be any structural damage to the graves – some of which are over 130 years old.

The desecration was discovered this [Friday] morning, but police said they thought the attack could have occurred at any time since Wednesday afternoon.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told J-wire through his spokesman: “The vandalism is appalling. Desecration of graves is to be condemned.”



Read more: http://www.jwire.com.au/news/historic-jewish-graves-desecrated-in-auckland/29021

---

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Ugh.

Yuk.

Edited to add: Apparently, according to the article, "88" is moron code for "Heil Hitler"

[Swagman]

2. I doubt the mindless fools that did this have any concept or knowledge

of history and sadly even WW2 seems to be fading in memory.

I'm Jewish and I am very anti the current Israeli government (and several previous ones) but this is no different than blaming all Americans for the actions of a government over which they have no control. But I doubt graffiti 'artists' would being thinking very deeply about such matters especially pro-Fascist ones.

On the plus side as a someone living in a building covered in graffiti on a regular basis I've discovered there are brilliant products now for removing graffiti and one of my joys is obliterating it hours after it appears.

One left a rude message for me a few weeks ago and I got that off in a day. They haven't been back.

But I love Banksy!!

[Kolesar]

3. “Such an example of anti-Semitism and racism is thankfully rare in New Zealand."

That would be bad for tourism.

[Ian David]

4. Just because they disagree with some of Israel's policies, doesn't make it anti-Semitic.

Okay, who was going to flame me before they saw the sarcasm tag?

Who wants to flame me AFTER they saw it?

[harmonicon]

5. Well, they did also paint a star of David.

Perhaps they meant "FUCK ISRAEL" in the sense of "make sweet, sweet love to Israel."

[Ian David]

6. That would explain why people heard Isaac Hayes music in the cemetery. n/t