Seattle Synagogue Hit By Anti-Semitic Attack
Police are investigating the vandalism at a synagogue in Seattle. The wall outside Temple De Hirsch Sinai was spray-painted with a message declaring that the holocaust didn't happen. "Holocaust is fake history!" read the graffiti, with each letter S represented by dollar signs.
Rabbi Daniel Weiner wrote a report of the incident on their Facebook page, saying: "Anti-Semitic, Holocaust-denying graffiti was spray-painted on the facade of our Old Sanctuary. We immediately contacted law enforcement, who have responded quickly and efficiently in opening an investigation."
Government officials released statements in support of the Jewish community. Mayor Ed Murray described the incident as "deeply troubling." Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the district's congresswoman, condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and said that Americans will not be intimidated.
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Weiner left the graffiti untouched the whole Friday so that people "really experience this kind of naked and wanton hatred." He called on President Trump to denounce the anti-Semitic incidents in recent months. He was referring to the wave of bomb threats targeting Jewish Community Countries (JCC) across the country.
"A message needs to come from our president, not only decrying anti-Semitism but specifically indicting white supremacists and in particular those who support his candidacy," Weiner said. Since the start of the year, 140 JCCs and places of worship have been threatened while several Jewish cemeteries were vandalized.
The JCC Association of North America sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions expressing frustration with the government's failure to stop the harassment and identifying the personalities responsible for the bomb threats. The letter was signed 141 leaders of the group.
"We are frustrated with the progress in resolving this situation," the letter read. "We insist that all relevant federal agencies, including your own, apply all the resources available to identify and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators, who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in communities across the country, to justice."
