EastEnders takes on antisemitism with swastika graffiti on Jewish grave

EastEnders, the BBC’s primetime soap, has taken on the subject of antisemitism.

In a scene at the end of Thursday’s episode, a character visiting the grave of his mother in a Jewish cemetery discovers a swastika painted across it.

The character is retired GP Harold Legg, played by 92-year-old Leonard Fenton, who was one of the original cast when the soap began in 1985.

Although Dr Legg retired in 1997, he has occasionally re-appeared and returned to the series after a long absence last month.

In last night’s episode, he was discussing what funeral arrangements to make with his friend Dot Cotton (played by June Brown).

Visiting the Jewish cemetery, he is explaining the custom of putting a stone on a grave when he is shocked to see his mother’s grave defaced by antisemitic graffiti.