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On 23 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius condemned the act of vandalism committed against Jewish historic sites after some anti-Semitic slogans appeared on Subačius Street in Vilnius.

“I strictly condemn the act of vandalism committed at the time when we are commemorating the victims of the Vilna Ghetto, as the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania has passed a resolution, and will be assembling today to mark the 65th anniversary of Israel’s independence in Vilnius. It is especially horrific that these anti-Semitic slogans appeared near two historically sensitive sites for the Jewish nation. We cannot tolerate incitement to ethnic hatred in a democratic state, which respects all ethnic minorities. I will raise this issue as a member of the Government. In compliance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, the perpetrators responsible for drawing swastikas shall not go unpunished, as the Lithuanian law prohibits the display of such symbols. We must strive to stop the contemptible acts of vandalism from happening again,” Linkevičius said.