France calls grave vandalism ‘anti-Semitism’

French prosecutors call for five teenagers suspected of vandalizing hundreds of Jewish graves to be charged, arguing there is a clear “anti-Semitic motive” behind their alleged act.

Some 250 tombs were vandalized last week at a Jewish cemetery in the northeastern town of Sarre-Union.

Five adolescents aged 15 to 17 were detained for questioning over the incident, in which tombstones were pushed over and vaults opened.

The youngest came forward earlier this week after being taken aback by the scale of the reaction across the country to the vandalism. He denied any anti-Semitic motive from the group of boys, none of whom has a criminal record.

But today, local prosecutor Philippe Vannier tells reporters that, despite their denials, “the anti-Semitic motive of their behaviour is now clear” after a probe into the incident.

He says all five boys admitted to taking part in the vandalism but continued to maintain they were not motivated by anti-Semitism.

Vannier asks for an official inquiry to be opened for “desecration and violation of burial places due to the religion of the deceased.”

He says the vandalism, which happened on Thursday last week but was only discovered Sunday, appeared to be part of a game that went wrong.