Knoxville synagogues vandalized during Gaza operations

In Knoxville, Tenn., both local synagogues were vandalized during the past week.

According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, four of six stained glass windows were broken by thrown rocks at Temple Beth El, and rocks were also thrown at Heska Amuna Synagogue but did little more than chip the windows. While timing is not known, speculation is that it happened on Thursday night.

None of the other dozen religious institutions in the immediate vicinity was vandalized.

The Secure Communities Network, which monitors threats to local Jewish communities nationally, also reported an unconfirmed vandalism of a billboard promoting a well-known Jewish-owned business in Knoxville.

This is reportedly the first such incident against Knoxville’s Jewish institutions in at least 50 years.