Synagogue violently attacked in Venezuela

The American Jewish Committee expressed deep concern over the safety of the Jewish community in Venezuela following an attack on the Tiferet Israel synagogue in Caracas that has followed death threats against rabbis and menacing behaviour by unknown persons against Jewish installations in the capital.

Beginning at approximately 10 PM on January 30, a group of approximately 15 persons forced their way into the synagogue and community center, overpowering two guards and firing shots in the air. They proceeded to profane the place of worship, tossing the holy scriptures on the floor and leaving graffiti on the synagogue’s walls reading “Jews out” and “We don’t want Jews here.” Some reports claim that graffiti reading “Death to the Jews” was also evident nearby.

AJC Executive Director David A. Harris said in response to the attacks "The total disrespect of a Jewish house of worship reflects the escalating climate of hostility towards Jews in Venezuela," adding "The wanton desecration of holy books is disheartening and inexcusable."


The attackers continued their assault until around 3 AM on the Sabbath, vandalizing the offices of the Venezuelan Jewish community's central organization. Police were called in the early morning hours as the congregation gathered after dawn for worship. Tapes recorded by closed-circuit TV were apparently stolen by the attackers.

"There are strong indications that what we are witnessing is a state-sponsored campaign of anti-Semitic persecution, spurred by both Venezuela's alliance with the Iranian regime and the surge of anti-Israel rhetoric during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas," said AJD director Harris. "We call on the international community to declare its solidarity with Venezuela's Jewish community and to make clear to President Chavez that further escalation will not be tolerated."

AJC has spoken out with alarm before about the ongoing threats to the Jewish community in Venezuela, and apparent lack of concern by the Chavez government in countering the rising number of anti-Semitic incidents and providing adequate security. For example, in 2004 and again in 2007, Venezuelan police raided the Hebraica, the Caracas complex housing the Jewish community center and school.

Nonetheless, government spokesman Jesse Chacón told reporters that the government of President Hugo Chavez rejects the use of violence and said that an investigation has only just begun. Chacón added that no one should blame the government for the incident. Chacón condemned the incident whether it was caused by those who are trying to capitalize on the current conflict between Israel and Palestine, or President Chavez’s opponents. He averred that despite the fact that Venezuela has severed diplomatic relations with the state of Israel, his government maintains good relations with the Jewish people. The Venezuela foreign ministry has also condemned the attack.

David Bittan, spokesman for the synagogue, said that the incident puts the Jewish community of Venezuela in a “very complicated situation.” Bittan added that “The writings were not against Israel, but against Jews. In the last two-three years we have had several cases of anti-Semitism. It is something that we can feel.”

Daniel Benaím of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Venezuela alleged “there has never been a similar case. It appears to have been well-planned. They weren’t simple thieves. It was something organized. We have feared something like this. The atmosphere in the official press had become every more against Israel and Jews. Hundreds of articles and publications, billboards on public streets, and anti-Semitic pamphlets.”