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| Some of the damage at the Mitpe Jericho synagogue |
An Israeli synagogue was severely damaged by vandals who showed no respect for religious articles, according to police in Israel.
The synagogue, located in the city of Mitzpe Jericho was destroyed early Thursday. Vandals destroyed books, objects, doors, furniture and damaged one Torah scroll. The synagogue is located in a gated street that housed among other institutions, the local yeshiva.
Police have launched an investigation and are trying to determine the motive behind the vandalism, criminal, nationalistic, or another unknown reason.
A spokesperson for the city of Mitzpe Jericho, located outside of Ma'aleh Adumim, said it appeared that two vandals smashed the security fence of the city on Wednesday night. "The vandals passed through the yeshiva, created a lot of damage, destruction of books and threw a Torah scroll on the floor. The also destroyed many objects and elements of the yeshiva. it is a miracle that no one was hurt or something worse," the city spokesperson said.
IDF troops and police were searching for evidence, and were looking for suspects in nearby Arab villages.
“The Jewish community in Mitzpe Jericho is nervous after the incident. The city has installed several security measures due to the location of the city but for some reason it has failed. Police need to investigate why the security measures in place did not prevent the incident,” a community activist in Mitzpe Jericho told YourJewishNews.com.
Avi Ro'eh, Yesha Council chairman and chief of Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, said that the incident was a very serious matter, because it was not just vandalism and destruction of a place of worship, but an invasion of a school. He is confident that the police will do everything possible to find those responsible and bring them to justice.