Jewish religious extremists suspected in church arson in Jerusalem

Israeli police has not yet identified those responsible of a blaze at the Baptist Church on Rehov Narkiss (Narkiss Street) in Jerusalem, but the Israeli press is unanimously pointing the finger at Jewish extremist religious circles.

“We don't suspect anyone specific but they were extremists for sure," said Charles Kopp, a pastor at the church.

“Every society has its fanatics and there is no lack of fanatics here in the Middle East,” he added.

The fire, which was set Tuesday night, did not hurt anyone, but it did damage the building.

The sanctuary had opened in 1993 after the older wooden chapel was burnt down in 1982.

The arsonists broke into the church building, located in the upscale Jerusalem neighbourhood of Rehavia, just before 11 pm on Tuesday night, setting it afire in three different places with flammable materials, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said

Despite fire fighters’ quick action, made possible by Jewish neighbours who called the fire department—a fact highlighted by the Israeli press—, the floor was severely charred, windows were broken, about 40 chairs were burned, and everything was blackened by smoke.

The church is used by four separate congregations, including two for Messianic Jews, with services offered in English, Hebrew, and Russian.

Some of the Russian speakers attending the services for Messianic Jews had been previously threatened, writes the Jerusalem Post. Messianic Jews consider themselves Jewish but believe also in Jesus.

The church is located in Rehavia, a leafy upscale Jerusalem neighbourhood. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish residents of a nearby area have in recent years begun moving into the area and trying to impose their way of life.

In response to the attack, the Israeli office of the Anti-Defamation League, which monitors hate crimes, condemned the attack and called for tolerance.

“The ADL strongly condemned this arson and apparent hate crime,” the New-York based organisation said.

“We urged authorities to do everything in their power to protect all religious sites and see that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice.”
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