Caracas, Venezuela – Venezuela’s foreign minister visited a synagogue today that was recently attacked by vandals and promised the country’s Jewish community that authorities would determine who was responsible for the assault.
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During the visit to the Tiferet Israel Synagogue in Caracas, Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told Venezuelan-Israelite Association president Elias Farache that investigations would continue until police “get to the bottom of the truth.”
Authorities have arrested 11 people, including eight police officers, suspected of ransacking and vandalizing the synagogue on Jan. 30.
The assailants shattered religious objects, spray-painted “Jews, get out” on the temple’s walls and stole a computer database with names and addresses of Jews living in Venezuela.
One of the synagogue’s security guards and a police officer who authorities say worked as a bodyguard for a local rabbi are among the 11 suspects under arrest. Police are currently searching for four more suspects.
Farache thanked the government for “returning peace and tranquility to our congregation” and praised federal police “for apprehending the perpetrators.”
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has repeatedly condemned the attack, which has raised concerns of rising anti-Semitism and religious intolerance in Venezuela.
The president has accused opposition groups and Venezuela’s privately owned news media of attempting to incite “a religious war” by unjustly accusing his government of fomenting anti-Semitism.
“Farache thanked the government for “returning peace and tranquility to our congregation” and praised federal police “for apprehending the perpetrators.”
what i know is prevention is the solution to crime
how can he thank them soo fast when there is no gaurantee that these “isolated incidents” will not occur again
what are they doing to stop the “legitimate frustration” that is being orchestrated in that country
what is being done that this CANNOT happen again???
I respectfully disagree with the first comment because inj my opinion the government wants to to look like a nice, clean, protective and supportive government to relax all the citizens into understanding they are not going to tolerate this prejudice and hatred, even if it disguised to look like a robbery. That sends a message to all the criminals, ‘Watch your step, we will not tolerate this and we will punish the haters.
This a surprise and a welcome one. Thanky you Mr. Chavez. Just don’t insult my president in the future.