Horrific anti-Semitic attack as up to 180 gravestones dating back to 1800 are vandalized and destroyed at two Jewish cemeteries

Up to 180 gravestones at two Jewish cemeteries in Cincinnati have been vandalized and destroyed, according to local groups who have described the destruction as a sickening anti-semitic attack.

The FBI and police are investigating the damage done to the tombstones, some of which date back to the late 1800s.  

Shocking pictures show scores of tombs knocked over, with some pushed faced-down and others cracked in half.

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati said the vandalism took place between June 25 and Monday in two Jewish sections of the Covedale Cemetery complex.

'Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless vandalism. The Jewish community in Cincinnati is resilient and we are committed to repairing the damage and restoring the sanctity of these sacred spaces,' the federation said in a statement.

The heavy tombstones appear to have been knocked off their bases

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati said that the destruction was discovered early on Monday morning

'We unequivocally condemn this act of hatred and desecration,' the statement went on. 'Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless vandalism. 

'The Jewish community in Cincinnati is resilient, and we are committed to repairing the damage and restoring the sanctity of these sacred spaces.'

The federation also asked anyone with information to come forward and help with the investigation. 

As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati said that the destruction was discovered early on Monday morning.

In a statement on Facebook, it said it is 'deeply saddened and outraged' and that the act of antisemitic vandalism... has left our community heartbroken. 

Most of the gravestones have been pushed face down, making it challenging to identify the affected families at this time,' it said, adding that it would inform the affected families as soon as possible. 

'Your initial reaction is just sick to your stomach,' said the organisation's Executive Director Sue Susskind. 

Some of the stones have been cracked in the vandalism at the Ohio cemetery complex

'I mean, what we do is lay people to rest and take care of their final resting place, and we were not able to do that because somebody else came in and chose to do vandalism.'

Susskind told CNN that law enforcement has granted permission for the gravestones to be repaired and inspected.

She said some of them are so heavy that they will have to be lifted up and put back into place by cranes. 

The vandalism comes amid a surge in antisemitism in the US and abroad, with a monitor reporting a 'dramatic' increase in incidents after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

In the latest figures, the from the Anti-Defamation League, which has tracked cases of antisemitism in the US since 1979, reported a 140 per cent increase from 2022 to 2023.