Vandals defaced the southern section of the Western Wall on Monday morning with red graffiti declaring, “There is a Holocaust in Gaza.” The inflammatory message, directly comparing the Gaza conflict to the Holocaust, drew immediate and sharp condemnation from religious leaders and calls for a police investigation. Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz denounced the act, stating that such protests have no place at a holy site, “and sevenfold when this is done at the holiest place for the entire Jewish people.” He urged authorities to locate and prosecute those responsible for desecrating the sacred location.

Police later arrested a 27-year-old Jerusalem resident in connection with the incident. Investigators determined the suspect had earlier vandalized the wall of Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue with similar messages before targeting the Western Wall. The suspect was questioned and released under restrictive conditions while prosecutors consider charges of committing a religious offense. The incident follows a previous case of vandalism at the site, which led to extensive halachic debate over removing writing from its ancient stones, highlighting ongoing tensions and acts of provocation aimed at Israel’s most sacred landmarks.

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SOURCE: Israel Hayom