Report: Caracas synagogue attack was simple robbery, not anti-Semitism

The break-in and desecration of the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue in Caracas, Venezuela on January 30 was motivated not by anti-Semitism but rather was a robbery, according to a local newspaper identified with the opposition, El Universal.

The paper reported police statements that a homicide detective headed the gang that attacked the synagogue.

The paper also quoted police sources that one of the robbers, another police officer, who had served as the synagogue rabbi's bodyguard, had thought up the robbery out of anger over the rabbi's refusal to lend him money.

The anti-Semitic slogans, the paper said, were painted to confuse police.