Three minors arrested under suspicion of repeated vandalism against Jerusalem Reform synagogue

Police said all three suspects are Jerusalem residents and that the investigation is ongoing. Investigators were expected to ask a court later Wednesday to extend their detention.

Police arrested three minors on Wednesday on suspicion of involvement in a series of recent acts of vandalism at the Kol Haneshama Reform synagogue in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood, police announced.

Police said all three suspects are Jerusalem residents and that the investigation is ongoing. Investigators were expected to ask a court later Wednesday to extend their detention.

During Yom Kippur, the synagogue was broken into between the end of Kol Nidre services on Sunday night and the beginning of services on Monday morning. A pride flag hanging in the sanctuary was removed.

The break-in marked the fourth incident in roughly a month targeting the synagogue, one of the city’s long-standing Reform congregations. A week earlier, during Rosh Hashanah, eggs were thrown at worshipers outside the site.

Jerusalem mayor, deputy mayor, express support for vandalized synagogue

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio addressed the congregation after Yom Kippur services and expressed the municipality’s support. During Kol Nidre the previous night, Rabbi Oded Mazor read a message from Mayor Moshe Lion expressing shock at the earlier attacks and pledging the city’s support.

The synagogue, which visibly supports the LGBTQ community, has also been targeted in previous years. In 2018, a large rock was hurled into its courtyard while more than 200 people were taking part in Simchat Torah celebrations. There were no injuries.