Anti-semitic Vandalism At Bnei Akiva
Bnei Akiva members in the UK expressed their shock and disgust this week after it was revealed that one of the organisation’s branches in Jerusalem had been vandalised in an apparent anti-semitic attack.
Torah scrolls in the Pisgat Ze’ev headquarters of the orthodox youth movement were thrown on the floor and the ark which housed them was smashed.
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This April, four members of a violent Israeli neo-nazi group were convicted of that desecration as well as other crimes including assault, racial incitement and the distribution of racist materials.
In the Bnei Akiva incident, English and Russian-language graffiti was written on the wall.
Leaders of the movement in the UK have been attending summer camps and only became aware of the vandalism when notified by the Jewish News. On hearing the news, National Director Simon Levy said: “I, along with Bnei Akiva, am shocked and disgusted at this attack. This is unfortunately another sign of anti-semitism and fundamentalism at work in Israel and we must do everything in our power to eradicate these problems.”
The sentiment was echoed by Zeev Schwartz, Secretary-general of World Bnei Akiva. “World Bnei Akiva stands in solidarity with our members and friends in the Pisgat Ze’ev branch in Jerusalem following the vandalism there at the weekend,” he said.
“Education is at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to teach our members throughout the world about the importance of unity, and the threats of anti-semitism, which, tragically, is present even in Israel. We pay tribute to the excellent leaders in Pisgat Ze’ev and elsewhere who volunteer every week of the year to promote our strong ideals and play a part in building the State of Israel.”
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