"Motivation of hostility toward the Jewish public": 15-year-old breaks into synagogue in Afula and desecrates holy books
An indictment was filed against a 15-year-old minor who broke into a synagogue in Afula, desecrated holy books, set toilet paper on fire, and stole a charity box. The background: a family dispute and hostility toward the Jewish public.
An indictment was filed today (Sunday) against a 15-year-old minor who broke into a synagogue in the city of Afula and desecrated holy books. His investigation revealed that the background to the incident was a quarrel between the minor and his family members, and the acts were carried out out of a motivation of hostility toward the Jewish public. According to the indictment, on October 19, 2026, a report was received at the 100 emergency hotline from a person who opened the synagogue and identified heavy smoke and damage. Police at the scene identified severe desecration of holy books that had been thrown to the floor, with various liquids spilled on them, rolls of toilet paper set on fire inside the restroom, and the charity box of the place was stolen. Shortly after the incident, officers of the Northern District located the suspect, a 15-year-old minor, and arrested him. The Northern District Attorney's Office filed an indictment through attorney Noy Shitrit for offenses of entering a residence or place of worship, intentional damage to property motivated by racism, and theft.