At least 85 graves in the Jewish section of a cemetery in Charleroi, southern Belgium, were desecrated and bronze objects and stars of David stolen, in an “anti-Semitic act” that authorities in the large Walloon city condemned today.

“The location chosen and the theft of several stars of David leave little room for doubt as to the anti-Semitic nature of the intentions,” said Charleroi mayor Paul Maniet.

“On behalf of the city, I unequivocally condemn these heinous actions,” he added in a press release, clarifying that he had asked the municipality’s administrative services to notify each family.

The desecration of the graves was discovered yesterday, Wednesday, by the caretaker of the cemetery of Marcinel, a district of Charleroi. The events allegedly took place the previous night.

The city has filed a lawsuit and an investigation is underway.

Only the Jewish section of the cemetery was affected, an indication of the anti-Semitic nature of the vandalism, according to initial investigation data. No written messages or graffiti were found.

The objects were detached from the graves, no doubt with tools, a spokesman for Paul Maniet told AFP.

Belgium records an increase in reports of anti-Semitic statements or actions since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7.

The Belgian government on Wednesday spoke of an increase in these reports, recalling that the Jewish community, its schools and places of worship are currently under special police vigilance.

“Anti-Semitism is an evil that we must continue to fight with all our strength,” Paul Maniet, who is also president of the French-speaking Socialist Party, said today.