US Strongly Condemns Arson Attack on Tomb of Esther and Mordecai, Sacred Site for Jews in Iran and Worldwide in Hamadan

«Elan Carr», the US Special Representative on Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism, strongly condemned the arson attack on the tomb of «Esther and Mordecai», a sacred site for Jews in Iran and around the world in Hamadan.

«Elan Carr» wrote on the Twitter account of the US Special Representative on Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism that the United States strongly condemns the attack on the tomb of «Esther and Mordecai» in Hamadan.

This State Department official, referring to threats three months ago to destroy this tomb, reminded that the Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of anti-Semitism in the world. He warned that these Iranian actions must be stopped and the Jewish community and other minorities must be protected.

On Friday, Jonathan Greenblatt, president of the «Anti-Defamation League», wrote on his Twitter that according to reports, the tomb of «Esther and Mordecai», which is one of the sacred places for Jews, was set on fire in the city of Hamadan in Iran. An eyewitness told Voice of America that fire trucks headed towards this tomb.

Following this incident, leaders of several Jewish organizations in America condemned the arson attack on the tomb of «Esther and Mordecai», a sacred site for Jews in Iran and worldwide, and called on Iranian authorities to deal with those responsible for this incident.

Arthur Stark, William Daroff and Malcolm Hoenlein, heads of Jewish organizations in America, responded in a joint statement to the burning of the tomb of «Esther and Mordecai» in the city of Hamadan, Iran, and wrote that three months ago, a group of Basij members had threatened to attack and seize this tomb.

The tomb of «Esther and Mordecai» is located in the center of Hamadan, at the beginning of Dr. Shariati Street. This place is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Jews in Iran and around the world. This tomb is registered as part of Iran’s cultural heritage monuments.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly spoken of erasing the state of Israel, and ten years ago, a group of Basij students at a gathering in front of the tomb of «Esther and Mordecai» threatened that they would destroy this pilgrimage site of Iran’s Jews.

Source: Voice of America