Suspect arrested over anti-Semitic graffiti at Leeds synagogue

A suspect has been arrested in connection with anti-Semitic graffiti painted on the sign of a shul in Leeds.

Police confirmed they had detained a man at the end of last week after a second incident occurred outside Etz Chaim synagogue.

Members of the shul security were reportedly subject to hateful abuse by the suspect outside the building before his arrest.

This follows a swastika and the word “kikes” being painted in red on the sign of the synagogue facing the main road on 11 October last week.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police told Jewish News the man had been arrested over both the daubing of anti-Semitic hate at the shul and “a further hate crime at the same premises on Thursday last week where anti-Semitic remarks were made to a member of security staff.”

“The man has been released under investigation and enquiries into both incidents are ongoing.”

A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust said: “We are pleased that West Yorkshire Police are investigating both incidents vigorously and have made an arrest. Hopefully as their inquiries continue they will get a clearer picture of what happened in each incident.”

Following the incident, four members of the local Muslim community visited the synagogue with a gift of flowers in a gesture of solidarity with the local Jewish community.