US President Joe Biden on Wednesday condemned a “despicable” anti-Semitic act of vandalism that damaged tombstones in two Jewish cemeteries in Ohio, the latest in a string of hate-fuelled incidents nationwide.
“The vandalism of nearly 200 graves at two Jewish cemeteries near Cincinnati is despicable,” Mr Biden said in a post on X.
“It is anti-Semitism and it is vile.”
The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati on Monday reported that 176 gravestones had been vandalised at the Tifereth Israel Cemetery and the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery, according to local news outlets.
“Most of the gravestones have been pushed face down, making it challenging to identify the affected families at this time,” Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati said in a post on Facebook.
Some of the tombstones dated to the late 1800s and a couple had been cracked in half.
Local Jewish organisations have set up ways for people to donate for “special repairs” in the cemeteries.
The Jewish-American community has experienced increased attacks with the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, and the Biden administration has vowed to combat such acts.
Mr Biden promised that there would be a response to the vandalism event in Ohio.
“I condemn these acts and commit my administration to support investigators in holding those responsible accountable to the full extent of the law,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris's husband Doug Emhoff leads the Biden administration's efforts against anti-Semitism. Last year, the administration released a national strategy to battle the hate crimes.
“When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity, and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is anti-Semitism and it must be condemned – and condemned unequivocally and without context,” Mr Emhoff said at a December event.
Mr Biden last week condemned a protest that turned violent outside Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles, where demonstrators gathered to protest against an event that had advertised selling land in Israel.
“Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, anti-Semitic and un-American,” Mr Biden said at the time.
Protesters said the event was promoting selling land in settlements that had been taken from Palestinians in the West Bank – a breach of international law.
“Americans have a right to peaceful protest,” Mr Biden said. “But blocking access to a house of worship – and engaging in violence – is never acceptable.”
There has been a rise in pro-Palestinian protests over the rising civilian death toll and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
While the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, critics have accused those taking part of engaging in anti-Semitic hate.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
