Severed pig’s head hung at entrance to Israeli synagogue

A pig’s head has been hung at the entrance to a synagogue in the central Israel city of Ramat HaSharon.

The vandalism incident occurred on Friday morning at the Sukkat Shaul synagogue. Police opened an investigation into the incident.

Eli Armani, the synagogue’s caretaker for the past 25 years, told Hadashot: “They called me from the house because they told me there was a pig’s head in the place, I immediately came to see what happened and I was shocked to see these things.

“Not a picture or a statue – a pig’s head with the flesh and blood on it. It is shocking that within us there is such a thing.”

Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben Dahan said: “At the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, anti-Semitism is also raising its head in the Land of Israel.

“The ongoing incitement against the religious community in Ramat Hasharon was a stage in the form of the head of a pig placed in front of a synagogue. We have to stop it now. ”

Tensions have run high between religious and secular residents of the city, especially during the run-up to municipal elections. A run-off in the mayoral race is scheduled for Tuesday. Incumbent mayor Avi Gruber has been accused of being hostile to the community’s religious population.