53 Jewish graves desecrated in Lille, France

No April Fools' Day, unfortunately.

Vandals smashed dozens of gravestones overnight in the Jewish section of a cemetery in northern France before the start of the Passover holiday this week, prompting a stern government response Sunday.

About 50 gravestones were knocked over or otherwise damaged in Lille, regional police said. It was unclear whether it was linked to Passover, which starts Monday.

Interior Minister Francois Baroin condemned the "intolerable act" in a statement Sunday and pledged to mobilize forces to find those responsible.

Jewish gravestones vandalized in France

Jacques Chirac condemns the desecration of 53 graves of the Jewish cemetery in Lille