Arsonists have attacked the only synagogue on the Greek island of Crete for the second time in less than two weeks, demolishing the wooden roof, four computers, tapes of Jewish music and burning holy books. The first attack happened two weeks ago and destroyed 30 antique Turkish carpets and a large library.

The synagogue, named Etz Chaim, underwent a four-year restoration project that was completed in 1999. It had been desecrated following the Nazi government that decimated the local Jewish population in 1944. The synagogue dates back to the fifteenth century and was a functioning museum until the arson attacks. A small number of Jews, often joined by Christians and even some Muslims, attended Sabbath and festival prayers there.

Throughout the first arson, the vandals hurled a bar of soap at the outer wall of the building, symbolizing the ant-Semitic taunt that Nazis would create soap out of Jewish corpses.

Prayers continued after the initial arson attack, which did not ruin the synagogue itself, and volunteers immediately cleaned up the building after the fire. Nonetheless, the latest fire caused more extensive harm.

The American Jewish Congress stated, "To target such a house of worship not once, yet twice, within days of each other requires a swift public reply from all in Greece who believe in the principles of religious freedom and joint respect.

"We count on Greek Prime Minister Papandreou and his government to do everything feasible to apprehend the arsonists and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. The protection of all Jewish institutions in Greece must become a still higher priority in light of recent occurrences.”

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