Jerusalem: 16-year-old held over 'Death to Christians' graffiti at Benedictine abbey

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for vandalising the Catholic Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition and the Greek Orthodox Seminary in Jerusalem.

The arrest was made yesterday after a joint operation by Israeli police and the army, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The church in Jerusalem's Old City was atttacked with the Greek Orthodox Seminary next door early on Sunday morning.

Graffiti in Hebrew was scrawled on the walls, including the slogans "Christians to Hell", "Death to the heathen Christians the enemies of Israel" and "May his name be obliterated", accompanied by a Star of David.

The Benedictine abbey is on the slopes of Old Zion just outside the Old City of Jerusalem.

In a previous attack on the abbey in 2014, furniture and wooden crosses were set on fire. Two Israelis, including a minor, were recently charged over this incident and an earlier arson attack on a church on the Sea of Galilee.

Wadia Abu Nasser, of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops in the Holy Land, said: "Despite promises by the government, these incidents continue to happen. If we were to actually count all of these incidents, they'd be in the hundreds."

The Abbey is said to be on the site where Mary, Mother of Jesus, ended her days on earth.

related articles
Burning of biblical church in Israel an \'attack on us all\'—Israeli PM
Burning of biblical church in Israel an 'attack on us all'—Israeli PM

Burning of biblical church in Israel an 'attack on us all'—Israeli PM

Christian sites need more protection, Israeli church leaders say

Christian sites need more protection, Israeli church leaders say

Grave crosses desecrated in cemetery near Jerusalem
Grave crosses desecrated in cemetery near Jerusalem

Grave crosses desecrated in cemetery near Jerusalem

Christian sites in Jerusalem desecrated by hate graffiti
Christian sites in Jerusalem desecrated by hate graffiti

Christian sites in Jerusalem desecrated by hate graffiti

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."