Russian/Eng/Nat
Vandals desecrated gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in the former Soviet republic of Georgia on Thursday.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack in the country's capital, Tbilisi.
More than 60 grave stones were knocked over and shattered.
There has been a worrying rise in anti-semitism in the former Soviet Union in recent years.
On Thursday vandals damaged more than 60 grave stones in this cemetery in the Georgian capital.
It was the second attack on a Jewish cemetery in Tbilisi.
Distraught relatives gathered and tried to repair the damage.
Jews have lived in peaceful co-existence with orthodox Christians in Georgia for
26 centuries.
The Chief Rabbi fears this attack may signal a change in attitudes towards Jewish people.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Around 60 to 70 graves have been destroyed. Clearly there was a whole group at work, not just one person. They smashed gravestones. Their aim was not just to smash the graves, but to smash the Jewish heart, to smash the heart of Georgia."
SUPER CAPTION: Ariel Levin, Chief Rabbi of Georgia
In neighbouring Russia there have been a spate of crimes against Jews over the past year, including a bomb attack against a Moscow synagogue.
Anti-semitism also recently prompted political scandal when a former general and Communist deputy made anti-Jewish comments in a speech.
Israel's ambassador to Georgia was one of the first on the scene.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I don't know if it's provocation or something, maybe an influence from neighbouring countries, or it can be seen in the light of economic difficulties, it sometimes happens that it gives rise to anti-semitism. But that's for the investigation. I think measures should be taken immediately, it's a problem for the government, quite clearly."
SUPER CAPTION: Ahud Elpan, Israeli ambassador to Georgia
The attack will weigh heavily on the minds of the local Jewish population, as well as others across Georgia.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"My two sons and my husband are here. I've never seen anything like this. I just don't have the words to express how I feel."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze ordered police to tighten security at the cemetery and urged a quick, thorough investigation,
