Jews have been equal citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 450 years and they did not deserve something like this, said President of the Bosnian Jewish Community Jakob Finci, commenting the anti-Semitic graffiti, which appeared in two Bosnian cities on Friday.

“We know that a certain trend of Messianism is present all over Europe and even wider and that such incidents happen everywhere, but we didn't expect that to happen in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Finci.

The anti-Semitic graffiti were seen in the Bosnian capital city Sarajevo and the northern city of Tuzla on the buildings occupied by members of the Jewish community. The incident was strongly condemned by Sarajevo Mayor Abdulah Skaka, who called on competent institutions to identify the perpetrators and punish them appropriately.

According to Finci, the Jewish community in Bosnia is “unpleasantly surprised” by the anti-Semitic writings and they had to react. He pointed out that the Jews never ran afoul of anyone but, on contrary, they always helped everyone they could, which is why they did not deserve such treatment.

The police recorded the graffiti in Tuzla and Sarajevo, and is investigating the case, he added.