Hundreds of Jewish graves vandalised in France

Hundreds of Jewish graves have been subjected to antisemitic vandalism at a cemetery in eastern France, near the border with Germany.

Just as Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, said the situation was now so bad that European Jews should immigrate to Israel, the 400 graves in Sarre-Union in Alsace were desecrated with swastikas and Nazi slogans.

The headstones were kicked over and desecrated with red paint.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted that everything possible will be done to catch those responsible for such an "ignoble and anti-Semitic act, an insult to memory." He also urged the whole of France to be vigilant against such "messages of hate".

The number of anti-Semitic attacks has recently increased in France. A kosher supermarket in Paris was one of the sites attacked by Islamist gunmen in the shootings last month that left 17 people dead.

Bernard Cazeneuve, French interior minister, was visiting the site of the Copenhagen shootings when he said the country would "not tolerate this latest attack which harms the values all French people share."

He added: "This was an odious act against religious freedom and tolerance. France will not tolerate this latest attack which harms the values all French people share."

related articles
Former Chief Rabbi: British Jews fear for their safety
Former Chief Rabbi: British Jews fear for their safety

Former Chief Rabbi: British Jews fear for their safety

Lord Sacks: Religious terrorism could continue for at least \'another generation\'
Lord Sacks: Religious terrorism could continue for at least 'another generation'

Lord Sacks: Religious terrorism could continue for at least 'another generation'

News
Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack
Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack

Christian leaders have been united in their condemnation of a firebomb attack on four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity. 

Pakistan temporarily halts plan to evict Christians from settlement
Pakistan temporarily halts plan to evict Christians from settlement

Faced with poverty and discrimination, many Christians have nowhere to go.

Where to enjoy Christian heritage on the King's new coastal path
Where to enjoy Christian heritage on the King's new coastal path

Here are five remarkable Christian stops worth visiting on the new King Charles III England Coast Path, each one rooted not only in its own history but also in the wider coastal landscape around it.

Rowan Williams ponders Anglican Communion's survival
Rowan Williams ponders Anglican Communion's survival

In two decades, the issues affecting the Anglican Communion have not changed but the divisions have only intensified.