An armed gang has ransacked a Jewish synagogue in the Venezuelan capital Caracas after occupying the building for several hours.
About 15 unidentified men broke into the building before painting graffiti on the walls and desecrating scriptures. They also called for Jewish people to be expelled from the country.
Jewish leaders say tensions have risen since Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with Israel this month over its recent military offensive in Gaza. Chavez had ordered Israel's Venezuelan ambassador to leave the country and urged Israelis to stand up against their government.
Elias Farache, president of Venezuela's Jewish Association, said the gang had tied and gagged security guards before destroying offices and the place where holy books were kept. Anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli slogans were painted on the walls.
"Never in the history of Venezuela's Jewish community have we been the target of such an aggression," said Farache. "The climate is very tense. We feel threatened, intimidated, attacked."
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