Beit Shemesh area monastery defaced in ‘price tag’ attack
Exterior of Beit Jemal lightly damaged by firebomb and graffiti; police open investigation
Police on Wednesday said vandals defaced a monastery near Jerusalem, the latest in a series of similar incidents blamed on extremists.
Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said Wednesday that an investigation is underway. She said minor damage was caused, likely by a firebomb, to the exterior of the Beit Jamal Monastery, where the phrase “price tag” was scrawled onto a wall.
A fringe group of Jewish extremists use the phrase to protest what they perceive as the government’s pro-Palestinian policies, and in retaliation for Palestinian attacks. Israeli leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the attacks.
The monastery, next to the town of Beit Shemesh, is known for its good relations with Israelis who visit to buy its ceramics.
Mosques, churches, dovish Israeli groups and Israeli military bases have been similarly defaced in recent years.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.