Latest news with #YitzhakYosef
MTV Lebanon
an hour ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Watch: Arson at a synagogue in Jerusalem
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported a fire that broke out at the synagogue of Israel's former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef in Jerusalem, with authorities suspecting it was arson. Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel commented, saying, "The attempted burning of Rabbi Yosef's synagogue is a frightening incident and an assault on a national symbol." Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir noted, "The scenes of the synagogue being set on fire and the swastika drawn are shocking. This event is concerning, carries anti-Semitic characteristics, and must not be tolerated."
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police probe suspected arson at Jerusalem synagogue, religious graffiti found nearby
It is believed to be the synagogue of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, former Sephardi chief rabbi. Police, fire, and rescue teams were called to the Or Habib synagogue in Jerusalem's Sanhedria neighbourhood on Sunday morning, after a fire broke out at the site, the Israel Police said on Sunday. Israeli media is describing the incident as an act of suspected arson. Footage published on social media shows an individual setting the synagogue alight before running out of the building. According to Israeli media, this is the synagogue of Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, former Sephardi chief rabbi from 2013 to 2024. Prior to reports of the fire, the police received calls about a cross that had been graffitied onto the door of a house near the scene. Police and the Jerusalem District Forensic Unit are investigating the report. The fire has been contained, and no casualties were reported. Yosef encouraged yeshiva students to take their IDF draft notices and "tear them up, throw them in the toilet, and flush them away," in comments made in December 2024. "I am appalled by the horrific images of the fire and the spray-painted swastikas at the synagogue of Rishon LeZion, the spiritual leader of the Shas movement, Maran Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef," National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said in a statement on Sunday. "This is a disturbing event with serious antisemitic characteristics. Especially in the Jewish state, there must be zero tolerance for antisemitism," Ben Gvir added. While the police reported graffiti crosses near the fire, there have been no reports of swastikas spray-painted close to the synagogue. Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malchieli called the incident "a heinous act" and demanded "that the Israel Police act with a strong hand and with the severity of the law against the criminals," Walla reported. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel also condemned the reports of the arson, saying "This is a worrying escalation, and an attack on a national symbol," Maariv reported. "This morning I addressed the head of the Shin Bet and demanded their cooperation in investigating the heinous hate crime of arson," he added.
