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Wiesenthal Center Denounces Tisha B'av Desecration of Jewish Community in Vilnius

Vilnius, 11 August 2008

H.E. Mr. Valdas Adamkus
President of the Republic of Lithuania
Vilnius, Lithuania

Dear Mr President,

Last night's antisemitic profanation of the Jewish community of Lithuania headquarters, in Vilnius, fell on the 9th (Tisha) B'av fast day. For Jews, this commemorates the fall of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the exile and, by association, the history of Jew-hatred culminating in the Holocaust.

The perpetrators of last night's assault showed a sophisticated knowledge of Jewish history, not characteristic of Skinhead hooligans.  The symbols, daubed on the seat of the saving remnant of Lithuanian Jewry, speak loud and clear: swastikas, gallows, "Juden Raus" and the "Towers of Gediminas" national icon.

Mr. President, last Thursday in your Palace, (see photo left), we discussed the damaging consequences of recent legal procedures against Jewish partisans. You noted that a major statement might bring closure to this issue. Last night's desecration was born of the poisonous climate provoked by media demonization of the Jewish partisans.

Mr. President, if ever there was a time for your statement, it is now - not only to condemn this attack and severely punish its organizers and agents. It is time to validate the heroes of the anti-Nazi resistance and integrate their chapter into the historical narrative of all Lithuanians.

The response to the daubing of the Jewish community must be perceived as an indignity to Lithuania itself.

Most respectfully,

Dr Shimon Samuels
Director for International Relations

See photos of Jewish Community desecration...