Mike Pence says he is ‘sickened and appalled’ by those who covered an Indiana synagogue with Nazi graffiti over the weekend.
The vice president took to Twitter Sunday to condemn the ‘cowardly act’ of anti-Semetism toward Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, where many of his ‘good friends’ attend.
‘Those responsible must be held accountable. These vile acts of anti-Semitism must end,’ he wrote, as other politicians have spoken out against the vandalism.
Police are now searching for whoever is responsible for defacing two of the synagogue’s walls with large Nazi flags and iron crosses.
The Congregation Shaarey Tefilla was vandalized Saturday with Nazi graffiti
Vice President Mike Pence took to Twitter to condemn the ‘vile’ acts
Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Carmel says the vandalism was done early Saturday to the bricks making up a shed for the synagogue’s garbage container.
The synagogue said its Saturday services weren’t affected.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard on Sunday condemned the vandalism and said the city’s police department was seeking to apprehend those responsible.
Brainard said in a statement: ‘There is no place for this kind of hatred in Carmel and it does not reflect the respectful and welcoming nature of the vast majority of our residents who come from many different cultural and faith backgrounds.
‘As we are reminded each year during our city’s Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony, we must never forget and never stop fighting against the hatred that led to the murder of 6 million Jews. These images that represent the ideas that led to those crimes are not reflective of what our City stands for.’
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council says it has been in contact with police agencies and area synagogues to ensure necessary steps were being taken to further secure their facilities.
The Congregation Shaarey Tefilla released a statement after the incident saying they are workign with the Carmel Police and other Jewish communities ‘to ensure that they are aware of the event and can take appropriate measures.’
US Rep Susan Brooks joined the vice president in condemning the vandalism
US Senator Joe Donnelly said there is ‘no place for anti-Semitism, bigotry, or hatred
US Senator Joe Donnelly, US Rep Susan Brooks also took to Twitter to condemn the anti-Semetic act.
‘I condemn the vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla. There is no place for anti-Semitism, bigotry, or hatred in our communities, state, and country,’ Donnely wrote.
Brookes said she is ‘disgusted by this despicable and hatefule act of antisemitism.’
‘I stand firmly with our Jewish community,’ she wrote.
Meanwhile the American Jewish Committee is stands ‘in solidarity with Congregation Shaarey Tefilla and the Jewish community of Carmel, Indiana.’
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Muslim civil rights organization, released a statementon Sunday.
‘We condemn this act of hate targeting a house of worship and express the solidarity of American Muslims with the Jewish community in Indiana at a time of growing anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry nationwide,’ spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said.
Swastikas and iron crosses were spray painted on the synagogue in Carmel, Indiana