Synagogue gets backing
About 100 members of Jewish communities around Greece took part on Saturday in a service at the Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Hania to express support for the Jews of Crete after arsonists targeted the building twice in January. The synagogue suffered severe damage during the raids and its director, Nicholas Stavroulakis, said the support of Jews from other parts of Greece was a major boost. «The arson attacks struck directly at our heart,» he said. «But the support has been moving.» Worshippers also marched to Hania town hall, where they met with Deputy Mayor Aris Papadoyiannis. «As a municipality, we condemn all such acts and are committed to protecting all of the city’s monuments,» said Papadoyiannis. Two Britons, a Cretan and a Greek-American have been arrested in connection with the attack. One of the Britons has been remanded in custody but the others have been released on bail. An American man is also being sought.
