Anti-Semitic graffiti was found on a wall of the AIV del Este Sephardic synagogue in Caracas, Venezuela last week, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) says.
The graffiti, which was allegedly spray painted shortly before daily morning prayer services on December 30, included a swastika and the number six million with question marks.
"We are deeply troubled that a synagogue in Venezuela was again the target of an anti-Semitic incident," ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman said in a statement. "It is particularly shocking that the graffiti trivializes the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who perished during the Holocaust.
"This heinous act - deeply offensive to Jews and other survivors - sends a chilling message to the Jewish community in Venezuela and is an affront to all in Venezuela who strive to live in harmony.
"Unfortunately, we have witnessed that anti-Semitic incidents occur far too often in Venezuela. Despicable acts of intimidation, like this one targeting Jews, contribute to an atmosphere of insecurity."
- Foxman added that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government were responsible for the safety and well-being of the South American country's Jewish community.
"We respectfully urge the Venezuelan government to take decisive action against such manifestations of anti-Jewish hate and to make it clear to the Jewish community - and all Venezuelans - that anti-Semitism or any form of hate, bias and harassment towards minorities have no place in Venezuelan society and will not be tolerated," he said.
A recent ADL poll in 100 countries found that 30% of Venezuelans surveyed harbor anti-Semitic attitudes. The League’s poll also found that 39% of the respondents have never heard of the Holocaust, and of those who have, 30% believe the numbers have been exaggerated.