Belfast Jewish group suffers '˜disgraceful' anti-Semetic abuse

The Belfast Jewish Community has said it will be reviewing its security after receiving the message on Facebook.

The group will now stop posting times dates and locations of events until further notice.

Robert Foster, the Ulster Unionist Party’s North Belfast candidate in the forthcoming Assembly election, condemned “in the strongest possible terms” those responsible and branded the incident ‘“disgraceful”.

He added: “The Chairman of the Belfast Jewish Community, said that a Facebook message it received contained a racist image and that it was reviewing security as a result.

“Any such threats must be taken seriously bearing in mind the terror attacks which have taken place in Europe, often targeting the Jewish community.

“Furthermore, 13 Jewish graves were damaged in an attack at the City Cemetery in August, and I believe it is vital that public representatives should speak out in condemnation of all these type of incidents.

“This is a community which has a long and proud history in Northern Ireland and especially in the city of Belfast. It has been prominent in the cultural, political and business life of the city, providing Lord Mayors and leading industrialists. Indeed one President of Israel – Chaim Herzog – was born in Belfast in 1918.

“I believe we must recognise the very positive role the Jewish community has played and still plays in Northern Ireland and provide support at times like this.”

A representative for the Belfast Jewish Community yesterday thanked all those on people on social media who have offered their support following the incident, posting on Facebook: “We as a Jewish community here in Belfast would like to thank each and everyone for your support and kind messages over the last couple of days. The level of support for us is amazing and heartwarming.”