Jewish cemetery in Western Poland vandalized, graves dug and destroyed overnight

A serious incident of grave desecration shocked the Żerkow region in western Poland, after it became clear that unknown persons had dug and destroyed graves in the old Jewish cemetery, located in the heart of a forest in an area administered by the Jarczyn Forest District.

The incident was exposed by employees of the local forestry unit and published on social media. There is a real concern that human remains will be harmed and desecrated, which increases the severity of the act.

Representatives of the Forestry Unit wrote: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce a serious case of desecration of graves at a historic Jewish burial site. This is an act of vandalism that is not only illegal, but also offensive, humiliating and violates human dignity – both the living and the dead."

The cemetery, which served the local Jewish community from the 18th century until its destruction in the Holocaust, is a silent testimony to a wealthy Jewish past that was cut off. According to local historians, the site is not regularly maintained, but it is visited by researchers, tourists, and descendants of the Jewish community that existed there.

The publication provoked many reactions, including strong condemnation from Jewish organizations in Poland and around the world. The World Jewish Congress called on the Polish authorities to "bring to justice the perpetrators of this despicable crime," while the Israeli embassy in Poland is closely monitoring the developments.

"The desecration of Jewish graves in Poland is a worrying phenomenon that repeats itself every year in a number of locations," said Rachel Goldman, a representative of the Center for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage Sites in Europe. "This is not only a hate crime, but also an attempt to erase the traces of those who can no longer defend themselves."