Caracas, Venezuela – A security guard and a police officer who worked as a bodyguard for a local rabbi are among the suspects accused of ransacking and vandalizing a Caracas synagogue, Venezuela’s justice minister said today.
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Tareck El Aissami said that one of the two security guards on duty during last the attack at the Tiferet Israel Synagogue helped intruders by cutting electricity cables feeding an electric fence surrounding the building and deactivating the alarm.
The security guard was among 11 people, including eight police officers, who were arrested over the weekend, (as was reported here on Vos Iz Neias).
El Aissami said a city police officer who he said worked as a bodyguard for a local rabbi until December organized the assault.
Authorities are searching for additional suspects, he said.
About 15 people forced their way into the synagogue in downtown Caracas on Jan. 30, shattering religious objects and spray-painting “Jews, get out” on the walls, along with other anti-Semitic messages. The assailants also stole a computer database with names and addresses of Jews living in Venezuela.
Elias Farache, president of the Venezuelan-Israelite Association, said that he could not confirm that one of the suspects had worked as a bodyguard for a rabbi.
The attack has raised concerns of rising anti-Semitism and religious intolerance in Venezuela.
President Hugo Chavez has condemned the assault. But some Jewish leaders say the socialist president’s harsh criticism of the Israeli government and its military offensive in the Gaza Strip have inspired anti-Semitism.
President Hugo Chavez has kept his word! i am amazed. I thought they would have “trouble” finding the criminals. Yetr, I must sau I am shocked that they found the top two and that they are really going after the others!!
Boruch Hashem!
Let’s give credit where credit is due! This shows that in this case, the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez was on the right side of the issue. The evidence, so far points to the fact that he did not set this up! He did not condemn and act on catching the perpetrators entirely out of altruism, however. And the rest is political posturing! It would be nice (and politically correct) if he went on the public airwaves and stated unequivocally, that no matter what his government’s foreign policy is, the Jewish Citizens and other minorities should not feel threatened in their daily lives!!!
Is that the same Rabino Cohen from Mariperez who has been the rabbi there for the last 30 years at least?
yes, same rabbi cohen.
lehavdil, regarding chavez… dont be so quick to decide that he didnt have a hand in it. he could still be very responsible, directly, or indirectly.
he still did not respond as he should have.
also, elections coming up this sunday, he needs public opinion.
The local rabbi in Caracas hired a body guard named “Tareck El Aissami”?? A little common sense is in order here.