Aucklanders protest against Jewish cemetery vandalism

A protest was held outside an Auckland cemetery this afternoon where Jewish graves were desecrated.

Efforts to clean the graffiti from headstones in the Jewish part of the Symonds Street cemetery are continuing today.

Socialist Aotearoa spokesman Joe Carolan says many in Auckland are shocked by the attack.

"We really wanted to demonstrate our solidarity with the Jewish community and show them that the real minority that has no place in our society is these Nazis and racists who have committed an act of barbarism."

Protestors are pointing the finger at the National Front following an attack on Jewish graves an at Auckland cemetery.

Mr Carolan says they're not welcome in Auckland.

"There's a group of them actually marching in Wellington this weekend on parliament to celebrate their racism and we believe that this attack on the Jewish community in Auckland was timed to bring attention to that."

It's hoped whoever is responsible for an attack on Jewish graves an at Auckland cemetery will be held to account.

B'nai B'rith Australia-New Zealand vice-president Dr Jim Salinger says he was shocked and appalled to learn of the attack.

"This is really an attack on all reasonable people in a civilised society and I would regard New Zealand as a very civilised society and we don't want this sort of thing creeping in."