Tree planted as a Holocaust memorial vandalised twice in a matter of weeks as spate of antisemitic incidents hits Salisbury

A tree planted as a Holocaust memorial has been badly vandalised twice in a matter of weeks during a spate of antisemitic incidents in Salisbury.

Photographs show that the trees branches have almost all been torn off.

Local MP John Glen told the Salisbury Journal that the vandalism was related to “other acts of antisemitism”, including the destruction of flowers left at the tree. He said: “I know that many people in Salisbury will be saddened to find out that the Holocaust memorial tree in Churchill Gardens has twice been vandalised in recent weeks. Just last January, along with the Bishop of Salisbury, Mayor, and President of the Chamber of Commerce, we recommitted ourselves to oppose antisemitism in our community. The latest acts of vandalism disrespect the memory of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. They are also a further sign of a worrying trend in our society where extremism is increasingly drifting into the mainstream. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that antisemitism plays no part in our society and politics.”

Anybody with information should contact the police by calling 101.