Israel will compensate church torched by Jewish extremists

Israel have said it will pay damages to the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha after an arson attack by Jewish extremists.

The Justice Ministry said the church, where Christians believe Jesus perfomed the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, "should be compensated for the damages caused to it by the arson, in accordance with property tax regulations."

Two suspected Jewish extremists have been charged with arson.

Initially the tax authorities refused to compensate the church, as they said it was not clear that the attack was on "nationalistic" grounds.

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said that, based on the charges against the two suspects, the attack was related to the "Israeli-Arab conflict" and therefore the church must be compensated.

The arson attack completely destroyed one of the buildings in the compound, but the church itself was not damaged.

Hebrew graffiti was also found, reading: "Idols will be cast out" or destroyed.

Church officials told AFP that they requested around seven million shekels (roughly £1.2 million).

Three Jewish extremists were charged. Yinon Reuveni and Yehuda Asraf were charged in connection with arson and graffiti.

Moshe Orbac was charged with writing and distributing a document detailing the "necessity" of attacking non Jewish property and people with instructions on how to do so.

related articles
Israeli forces use tear gas and stun grenades on Christian protesters
Israeli forces use tear gas and stun grenades on Christian protesters

Israeli forces use tear gas and stun grenades on Christian protesters

Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in East Jerusalem

Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in East Jerusalem

Jerusalem\'s Temple Mount: Why it\'s such a flashpoint for Jews and Muslims
Jerusalem's Temple Mount: Why it's such a flashpoint for Jews and Muslims

Jerusalem's Temple Mount: Why it's such a flashpoint for Jews and Muslims

Israel aircraft strike Gaza as violence spills beyond Jerusalem

Israel aircraft strike Gaza as violence spills beyond Jerusalem

News
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online

The college campus has connections with the 19th century abolitionist movement.

What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?
What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?

18 February 2026 is Ash Wednesday, which traditionally starts the season of Lent. This is the story …

Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle
Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle

Has Lent just become another self-improvement project with a spiritual label?

Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research
Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research

Questions about the study have been raised.