"We will not allow anyone to undermine the coexistence between religions in Israel," Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said on Sunday, after police discovered Hebrew graffiti on the walls of a famous Jerusalem church, in what appeared to be the latest vandalism attack by extremist Jews. "We will show zero tolerance to whomever harms the democratic foundations of Israel and its freedom of religion and we will apprehend those who carried out this heinous act," Erdan said. He said he had instructed police to give the vandalism case top priority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the vandalism. Israel Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said anti-Christian slogans were found on the outer walls of the Dormition Abbey, a Benedictine monastery located just outside Jerusalem's Old City where Christian tradition says the Virgin Mary died. The graffiti included threats of violence, messages degrading Jesus, and a call for Christians to "go to hell." Nikodemus Schnabel, the Dormition Abbey spokesman, said the graffiti bore "very radical messages." Police are investigating but suspicion immediately fell on Jewish extremists who have for years vandalized Palestinian property, as well as mosques, churches, the offices of dovish Israeli groups and even Israeli military bases. The so-called "price-tag" attacks seek to exact a cost for Israeli steps seen as favoring the Palestinians. That attacks have prompted widespread condemnation and pledges by Israel's government to be tougher on Jewish vigilantes. The Benedictine abbey is a popular site for pilgrims and tourists. It has been damaged several times in recent years.
