New York hate crime task force investigating vandalism at Jewish cemetery

The New York hate crime task force has started an investigation into the vandalism of more than a dozen headstones at a Jewish cemetery in Rochester after similar incidents took place in St. Louis and Philadelphia last month.

"The families of New York -- people of all creeds, colors and backgrounds -- have witnessed a dramatic increase in acts of hate and intolerance. The State Police Hate Crimes Task Force, in partnership with federal and local authorities, have launched aggressive investigations into reported hate crimes across the state," CNN quoted Cuomo New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as saying in a statement.

This comes in the wake of a rise in the attacks on the Jewish community centers (JCCs) and cemeteries in recent weeks across the country.

A USD 5,000 reward is being offered by the Anti-Defamation League, an organization dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism, for information about the case.

Vice President Mike Pence condemned "vile act of vandalism" at a suburban St. Louis Jewish cemetery, where more than 150 headstones were damaged during last month.

The Vice President's statement came a day after U.S President Donald Trump broke his long silence on the reported uptick in anti-Semitic incidents, denouncing threats against Jewish community centers as "horrible" and "painful," and saying more needed to be done "to root out hate and prejudice and evil.