A Holocaust memorial in Cologne, Germany was vandalized with apparent Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) graffiti on May 1.
The Algemeiner reported that the memorial consisted of stepping stones known as Stolpersteine, German for “stumbling blocks.” Similar stones are found in various European cities as part of an ongoing effort to commemorate Holocaust victims. Three stepping stones in Cologne had the letters “BDS” written on them, with one letter on each stone.
Jewish groups denounced the graffiti. “Once again we see the BDS movement having nothing to do with helping Palestinians and everything to do with the hatred of Jews,” Stop Antisemitism Director Liora Rez said in a statement to the Journal. “We are sickened to see that this time it happened to be of Jews murdered in the Holocaust.”
The European Jewish Congress similarly tweeted, “Antisemitism and antizionism are two sides of the same coin. This is why we must fight both of them.”
Last night in the German city of Cologne, three stepping stones honouring victims of the Holocaust were vandalised with BDS graffiti written on them.
Antisemitism and antizionism are two sides of the same coin. This is why we must fight both of them.https://t.co/nr70dWoEw7
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) May 3, 2021
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