Repeated Attacks on Jewish Graves in a Cemetery in Philadelphia

Israeli and American media have reported further attacks on Jewish graves in the United States. The new attacks reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday, March 8, at the Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where some graves in the 'Bait Carmel' cemetery are over a hundred years old. Slogans such as 'America belongs only to whites,' accompanied by Nazi swastikas, have been painted on the cemetery walls. The attack on Jewish graves in Pennsylvania follows an attack on about 200 graves in the St. Louis cemetery in Missouri last week. According to the Jerusalem Post, seventy bomb threats against Jewish sites have been recorded in recent days. The threats have targeted institutions and centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Alabama. Paul Goldenberg from the security organization associated with the North American Jewish Federation stated that it seems the individual making the threats is the same person across these four areas. Last month, 57 bomb threats against Jewish centers in the U.S. were recorded, although none of the threats have been acted upon, and no incidents have occurred. According to Haaretz, Emmanuel Nachshon, a spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, emphasized that 'the desecration of the Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia is painful, shocking, and concerning.' He also stated that Israel and Jews 'believe that American authorities will find the perpetrators of these attacks and bring them to justice.' U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the attacks on Jewish sites and the threats against their institutions, stressing last week that he would fight anti-Semitism. Vice President Mike Pence also visited Missouri after the gravestones of Jews in St. Louis were broken, participating personally in the cleanup of the cemetery. Pence told the Jewish community in St. Louis that the Trump administration would not tolerate these 'horrific actions.' He also mentioned that American soldiers ended hatred against Jews in Europe (at the end of World War II) and that much work remains to eradicate hatred and prejudice and combat evil actions in America. Sean Spicer, White House spokesperson, also stated last week that 'hate and violence of any kind should have no place in a country where human freedom is the top value.' The Muslim community in St. Louis recently donated about $150,000 for the restoration of the Jewish cemetery in the city. Muslim activists in St. Louis, who initiated the fundraising for the repair of Jewish graves, stated that the Muslim prophet respected and defended Jews, and that followers of all religions have lived peacefully together in America, conveying the message that peaceful Muslims are opposed to extremist actions. Meanwhile, Oren Segal, director of the Anti-Defamation League in America, which tracks anti-Semitic incidents, told the Jerusalem Post that since the recent electoral campaigns in the U.S., attacks stemming from animosity towards Judaism and Jews have 'increased unprecedentedly.' According to this organization, in 2016, media and online attacks against Jews surged, with 19,253 anti-Semitic tweets published that year. While, according to the Jerusalem Post, Jews across America are 'deeply concerned' about the attacks on the cemeteries in St. Louis and Philadelphia, Oren Segal has stated that American Jews' trust in legal action against anti-Semitism has also increased.