Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

AHEPA Condemns Continued Anti-Semitic Attacks
upon Synagogue in Hania, Crete
WASHINGTON - Nicholas A. Karacostas, supreme president of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and countless Philhellenes, issued the following statement regarding the continued anti-Semitic attacks upon the historic Etz-Hayyim Synagogue located in Hania, Crete:

"We strongly condemn the anti-Semitic attacks that have been carried out on the Etz-Hayyim Synagogue in Hania. This is the second arson attack in two weeks that has left the synagogue's infrastructure devastated and approximately 2,500 rare books and other archival items destroyed by fire.

"These anti-Semitic attacks upon the Jewish community in Greece are simply unacceptable. We appeal to the people of Hania, and all Greek citizens, to come together to defy these acts of hatred, intolerance, and bigotry; and to help the healing process begin.

"We call for the swift apprehension of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks so that they may be brought to justice."

Arsonists attacked Etz-Hayyim Synagogue on Tuesday, January 5 and Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Etz-Hayyim Synagogue is the only surviving Jewish monument on the island of Crete. To learn more about the history of the synagogue, please visit http://www.etz-hayyim-hania.org.



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