Holocaust Memorial Defaced With 'Death to LGBT' Graffiti

An Israeli memorial to LGBTQ Holocaust victims was defaced last week with graffiti reading "Death to LGBT."

The monument, in the shape of a triangle and located in Tel Aviv's Meir Park, was vandalized early Thursday, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The act was quickly denounced by the mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, who called for the graffiti to be removed at once. It has now been removed, and an investigation has been opened to find the person or group behind the crime, the Post reports.

"Denouncing the vandalism ... in memory of the proud community members of the Holocaust," Huldai wrote in a Facebook post. "I've instructed to erase the graffiti immediately. We will continue to act and protect members of the community as we have done so far."

Deputyr Mayor Asaf Zamir, who is challenging Huldai in the next mayoral election, also spoke in support of Israel's LGTBQ community. "I have no words to describe the feeling of aversion to anyone who thinks that he can threaten the members of the proud [LGBTQ] community," Zamir told the Post. "I will continue to support community members and to work actively for their freedom and rights." Zamir is a staunch ally and has enlisted the help of LGBTQ community leader Chen Arieli in his campaign, the Post notes.

LGBTQ citizens of Tel Aviv vowed to not be silent and to continue to fight for their rights. Etai Pinkas, chairman of the LGBTQ Community Center, shared some comforting words.

"So for those who thought we were exaggerating, that everything in Tel Aviv was wonderful, I am in the heart of the city, in the Meir Garden near the Pride center I built a decade ago. ... We will not give up our rights," Pinkas told the Post. 'We will continue to fight for our security and equality."

It is estimated that 5,000-15,000 LGBTQ people were sent to concentration camps during the Nazi Holocaust, according to the Post.