Associated Press, USA
CARACAS, Venezuela: An international Jewish group is urging Venezuela to protect its Jewish community after a recent attack on a synagogue and amid reports of increasing incidents of anti-Semitism.
The Washington-based World Jewish Congress is also asking the government to refrain from calling on Venezuelan Jews to oppose Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.
A delegation from the group met Friday with Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro.
The group said in a statement Saturday he assured them authorities will find and prosecute those responsible for vandalizing the synagogue.
Chavez has forcefully condemned the offensive, calling the Israeli government "genocidal." Local Jewish leaders fear such rhetoric has encouraged hate crimes.
