Historic Middle Street Synagogue in Brighton vandalised with red paint splashed across its doors

The historic Middle Street Synagogue in Brighton has reportedly been vandalised with red paint splashed on its famous front doors.

The incident was revealed by journalist and author, Lyn Julius, on Facebook. Ms Julius is scheduled to speak at the synagogue on Sunday.

The synagogue is a popular tourist attraction. The Grade II* listed building has what is regarded as Brighton’s second most important interior after the Royal Pavilion. Opened in 1875 and designed by local architect Thomas Lainson, it is one of the last remaining “cathedral synagogues” from the Golden Age of High Victorian synagogue architecture.

In May this year, Labour Party member and activist, Amanda Bishop, called for fellow activists to “march” on her local synagogue in Brighton.

Ms Bishop wrote in the Brighton and Hove Labour Party Facebook forum that: “We can’t allow this to go on. We need to march about this on the Synagogue in Hove, all of us members in Brighton.” Her call for direct action against the synagogue was in response to the suspension of Alexandrina Braithwaite, from the Brighton and Hove Labour branch, for sharing allegedly antisemitic posts on social media, which Ms Bishop felt was “bulls***”.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “This cowardly act of vandalism against a historic synagogue comes just months after a prominent Labour activist called for a march on a synagogue nearby. It is yet further evidence of the extent to which antisemites have come to feel empowered to demonstrate their hatred of Jews. It is vital that the perpetrator is apprehended and feels the full force of the law.” 

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police by calling 101.