(JTA) — Anti-Semitic graffiti was spray-painted on the walls of a Jewish school in the capital of Bulgaria.
A Star of David equated with a Nazi swastika and the words "stop occupation" were spray-painted on the wall of the Dimcho Debeljanov Jewish School, the only Jewish school in Sofia.
The vandalism occurred Sunday, according to the European Jewish Press. Apparently it is linked to current events in Israel.
“This act of vandalism has been made a week before the Jewish holiday of Pesach and the Christian Easter, read an official statement from Shalom, which represents the Jewish community of Bulgaria. "At a time when all people, without difference in ethnicity or religion, should open their hearts for the good, these vandals have sown hate; hate which verges on terrorism.
The statement went to say, "We appeal to citizens and to civil society to react definitely against such acts and to remember that whoever sows hate today reaps storms tomorrow.”
Approximately 5,000 Jews are living in Bulgaria.
World ORT, which supports the school, said in a letter sent to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Education that “Bulgaria is justifiably proud of its friendly and protective relations with its Jewish community. World ORT trusts that this outstanding tradition will be translated into constructive efforts to ensure that the ugly upsurge in anti-Semitism seen in so many parts of the world does not manifest itself in your beautiful country.”
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