A sign outside world’s oldest Holocaust studies library has been vandalised, with the word "Gaza" daubed on it in red paint - an act "obviously intended to cause damage and distress".

The Wiener Holocaust Library, in Camden, north London, houses one of the world's most extensive archives on the Holocaust, the Nazi era and genocide.

The graffiti, on a sign at the building's entrance appeared overnight on Wednesday. Although the library has removed the sign and plans to replace it, staff are all but resigned to the fact that they will be targeted again.

Samantha Dulieu, a spokeswoman for the Library, told the JC: “It happened overnight, between 6pm and 9am.

"I saw it when I arrived at work this morning, but it already appeared that someone [who was not a staff member] had tried to remove it.”  

Library director Dr Toby Simpson said: “This graffiti was obviously intended to cause damage and distress.

“To use ignorance as a weapon against an institution of learning is stupid and wrong. To lash out against Israel by targeting a Holocaust institution is an action that can only make sense to antisemites and their enablers.

"We will be replacing our sign at the next opportunity, but regrettably will have to review the likelihood of something similar happening again.” 

The vandalism was discovered just one day after the library released a statement regarding the surge in antisemitism observed in Britain since October 7 and calling for unity in the face of hate and prejudice.

In 2018, a promotional poster at the nearby Russell Square underground station for an exhibition on Kristallnacht at the Wiener Holocaust Library was defaced with the words "Free Palestine".

“The proliferation of antisemitic hate in the current climate should be a matter of grave concern to us all,” said Simpson. 

The incident has been reported to the police and the CST.