Caracas, Venezuela – Amid an increase in anti-Jewish sentiment and a spike in attacks on Jews in recent weeks, the American Jewish Organization AJC is calling on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government end their role in promoting the hatred and to step up security form members of the Jewish community.
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In a press release the AJC said that Jews have been experiencing increased intimidation from media outlets and from government officials as well since the conflict in Gaza erupted.
According to AJC reps, social media has exploded in anti-Semitic sentiment towards Jews, with one Twitter message saying, ““A deputy of the government’s party PSUV is organizing armed militias to attack THE Jewish community that lives in OUR Venezuela. They will attack synagogues and Jewish businesses.”
Maduro has publicly accused Israel of pursuing “a war of extermination against the Palestinian people,” and has compared Gaza to Auschwitz.
“In Israel, there’s a smell of sulphur, the devil is there,” added Diosdado Cabello, President of the National Assembly.
In the Caracas subway, this threat was scrawled: “Protect the Homeland… kill a Jew.”
In an appeal to President Maduro to stop the hatred, AJC Executive Director David Harris said, “Ensuring the safety and security of Venezuela’s Jewish citizens should be a government priority.”
That’s like asking hitler to protect the Jews from the nazis.