Synagogue targeted in graffiti attack

Christchurch's Jewish Synagogue has been the target of a graffiti attack.

The words "Shower you murderous swine" have been sprayed in bright green paint on the footpath outside the synagogue's main entrance in Durham St.

A brass plaque on the main gate has also been vandalised, with swastikas scratched into the surface and racist taunts daubed in felt pen. The graffiti, which apparently appeared overnight, was done as tensions escalated over Israel's cross-border incursion into Lebanon.

Christchurch police said no complaint had been received by midday. Synagogue officials were unavailable to comment.

Swastikas and the number 666 were daubed on a Lower Hutt mosque this week, but police say that incident appeared not to have been connected with a racist or religious vendetta.

A mosque spokesman said it was just the latest in a string of attacks.

Police attributed the Lower Hutt graffiti to "mindless juvenile vandalism".

- NZPA