Police suspect that arsonists attacked an unused mosque near downtown Jerusalem in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday. Investigators found slogans against Muslims and the words “price tag” spray-painted on the walls of the mosque on Strauss Street.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire after receiving reports that smoke was seen pouring out of the mosque. Damage was limited, and no one was injured.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) is working with the police to investigate if arsonists were responsible in what appears to be another protest against government policies that have resulted in dozens of police demolitions of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria, usually in the middle of the night.
Arson is also suspected in two incidents of Arabs cars that were torched, one in Hevron and one near Kalkilya, located next to Kfar Saba and on the main highway to the central Samaria (Shomron) communities.
Police are concerned over the spread of anti-government protests that crossed all “red lines” two nights ago when approximately 50 youths infiltrated into an IDF base in Samaria, threw rocks at soldiers and officers and vandalized equipment.