An arsonist broke into the shul of the former Rishon L’Tzion, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, on Rechov Yam Suf in the Sanhedria Murchevet neighborhood of Jerusalem and set it on fire in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday morning.
Security camera footage shows the arsonist entering the Ohr Chaviv shul around 3 a.m., approaching the Aron Kodesh and setting it on fire.
A nearby residential apartment building was found vandalized with graffiti, including crosses and other Christian symbols, and it is suspected that the arsonist carried out the vandalism before setting fire to the shul.
The fire caused extensive damage to the shul, HaRav Yosef’s office and his magnificent chair, as well as his sefarim and those of his illustrious father, HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef, z’tl.
Firefighters who were called to the scene brought the fire under control. Police investigators gathered evidence from the scene and launched an investigation into the incident. The Shin Bet is also involved in the investigation.
“After examining all the findings at the scene of the incident, it was unequivocally determined that it was arson,” the fire department said.
Moshe Mishali, Yona Diamond, and Shlomo Rtchmond, Mishmar volunteers, said, “When we arrived at the shul and noticed the fire, we immediately acted to assist the fire and rescue forces. Afterward, we were shocked by the sights we discovered in the shul and the nearby building – graffiti and crosses.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded to the report by stating that he “strongly condemns the desecration of the Ohr Chaviv shul where Rav Yitzchak Yosef davens and expects the police to quickly find the perpetrators and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
Minister of Religious Affairs Michael Malchieli harshly condemned the incident, stating: “Shocking scenes with antisemitic overtones at the shul where Maran HaRav Yitzchak Yosef davens. All religious leaders must denounce and reject such vile acts. Simultaneously, I demand that the Israel Police act decisively and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
President Isaac Herzog responded: “Setting fire to sifrei kodesh, spraying crosses and an attempt to burn Sifrei Torah in the shul of the Rishon L’Tzion HaRav Yitzchak Yosef in Jerusalem are appalling. I call for swift and decisive action to investigate this serious hate crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
