Greek fire fighters have managed to save the historic synagogue of Hania, on the island of Crete, before a blaze that broke out following an arson attack could cause major damage. The fire crew found a bottle with a flammable liquid still burning when they arrived at the scene. The medieval Etz-Hayyim Synagogue – the only Jewish house of worship on Crete – holds more than 1,500 books and functions as a museum and memorial in the town. Hania’s 300 Jews were deported in 1944 and died when their ship sank.
The synagogue suffered significant water and smoke damage, but its Torah scrolls were not harmed. “A bar of soap was thrown against the outer wall of the synagogue to illustrate the common Greek anti-Semitic expression, ‘I'll make you into a bar of soap,’” according to the ‘Jewish Telegraphic Agency’.
The Jewish community of Greece urged authorities to take measures in order to get rid of "similar phenomena of anti-Semitism" in the country. Major Greek-American groups also expressed their outrage over the attack. “The Greek American community is outraged at the recent act of anti-Semitism at the historic Hania Synagogue in Crete. We are deeply disturbed that such acts of terrorism happen in 21st century Greece,” a statement by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad-USA Region, read.
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