T he Federation of the Jewish Communities of the Commonwealth of Independent States has condemned an act of vandalism in Pervomaisk, Ukraine, where a metal menorah has been stolen from a memorial to Holocaust victims.

"The menorah was part of a commemorative memorial near which thousands of people gather each year on Victory Day to pay homage to the Holocaust victims," the federation said in a statement circulated on Monday.

The Jewish community of Pervomaisk reported the incident to police. An investigation has been launched but so far police have no leads.

Pervomaisk chief rabbi Levi-Yitshak Perelshtein said he is inclined to link the disappearance of the menorah to anti-Semitic activity which he said has somewhat intensified recently. Earlier, insulting inscriptions were painted on the fence of a local Jewish cemetery.

At the same time, the rabbi does not rule out that the menorah was stolen by metal hunters. (interfax)

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