February 20, 2017 -- St. Louis -- AJC condemns the mass vandalism at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City. More than 100 headstones were reportedly damaged in the attack earlier today.

“Destruction of Jewish headstones is a painful act of anti-Semitism,” said Nancy Lisker, director of AJC St. Louis. “We feel the pain of the families whose grave sites of loved ones were desecrated and look to the authorities to apprehend and bring to justice those responsible for this heinous act.”

The extent of the damage would suggest that more than one individual carried out the attack. It comes during a period of rising anti-Semitism across the country. The fourth round of bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers across the country occurred over the weekend.