A Jewish cemetery in Humenné, Slovakia, was spray-painted with swastikas. The vandalism happened in a town where Nazis murdered almost all the Jewish residents during World War II. This attack shows how antisemitism is still a problem today.
Juraj Levický, a caretaker of the cemetery, found the Nazi symbols while giving a tour to a British journalist. The police are investigating, but no suspects have been caught yet. Levický called the act “hate-driven” and said it should never happen. The damage costs over €2,000.
The cemetery is a historic site with graves dating back to the 1700s. Before the Holocaust, Jews made up a third of Humenné’s population. Out of 2,200 Jews deported to camps, only 176 survived. Today, just eight Jews live in the town. The cemetery is locked behind a tall wall, but vandals still got in.
This isn’t the first time the cemetery has been attacked. In 2003, headstones were marked with Nazi slogans. In 2019, graves were smashed and burned. Each time, locals claim to be shocked, but the crimes keep happening. Weak punishments and lax security let hate fester.
Jewish leaders worldwide condemned the vandalism. The Anti-Defamation League called it an “attack on memory.” The Holocaust Educational Trust said antisemitism isn’t just history—it’s a real threat. These groups warn that ignoring such acts puts freedom at risk.
Humenné’s story is a warning. Western values like respect for faith and tradition are crumbling. Liberals focus on “tolerance” but fail to protect sacred spaces. Strong borders, tough laws, and pride in heritage are the only ways to guard against this evil.
The cemetery now plans to add barbed wire and cameras. But fences alone won’t fix society’s rot. Parents must teach kids right from wrong. Leaders must punish hate crimes harshly. Without moral courage, history will keep repeating.
The Nazis tried to erase Jews from Humenné. Now, vandals are trying to erase their memory. Decent people must stand up, speak out, and defend the truth. Freedom isn’t free—it demands vigilance against those who hate our shared values.
