Jewish cemetery vandalized in eastern France, amid resurgent fears of anti-Semitism

A woman lights a candle to pay respect to victims of the shooting attack in Copenhagen, at the Danish embassy in Paris, France, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015. Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community. Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks. The banner reading Dan Uzan, refers to the security guard killed. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (The Associated Press)

People light candles to pay respect to victims of the shooting attack in Copenhagen, at the Danish embassy in Paris, France, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015. Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community. Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks. The banner reading Dan Uzan, refers to the security guard killed. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (The Associated Press)

PARIS – Hundreds of graves have been vandalized at a Jewish cemetery in eastern France, in what the interior minister called an "odious act" against religious freedom and tolerance.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement Sunday that a special criminal investigation team is at the cemetery in Sarre-Union, near the German border, and authorities will do "everything" to pursue the vandals.

Jewish and Muslim gravesites and places of worship see sporadic but frequent vandalism in France. The latest incident comes amid religious tensions in Europe after Islamic radicals attacked a kosher market and a newspaper in Paris last month, and similar attacks in Denmark this weekend.

Cazeneuve urged calm and tolerance. Many French Jews feel increasingly worried about anti-Semitism.