Members of Nahariya's Christian community of South Lebanon Army (SLA) veterans were shocked on Sunday after worshippers discovered smashed statues and vandalized religious images inside a prayer hall used as a church by the community.
According to Father Yosef Yaakov, spokesperson for the Maronite community in Israel, a note written in English was left on the altar asking for forgiveness. Nahariya police opened an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that all possible leads were being examined.
The prayer hall is on municipal property adjacent to a municipal garden and serves the Lebanese Maronite community for prayer and religious ceremonies.
The community numbers approximately 1,100 people. Several dozen worshippers attend Sunday services, while hundreds gather for religious holidays.
'I don't know what got into me': Apology left on altar
Yaakov said the vandalism was discovered at approximately 5:30 p.m., when a worshipper entered the hall ahead of a prayer service scheduled for 7 p.m.
According to Yaakov, whoever damaged the statues and religious images left a note on the altar apologizing for the act and including a statement along the lines of "I don't know what came over me."
Yaakov stressed that the identities of those responsible and their motives remained unknown.
"We are waiting for the police to investigate," he said, adding that it was too early to determine whether the vandalism was motivated by religious hatred.
As the community awaits the results of the investigation, Yaakov described the pain felt by worshippers over the damage to a place of profound personal and religious significance.
He said the incident had caused anger and distress, as well as a feeling among community members that they were unwelcome.
Yaakov noted that families with children also attend services at the hall and that the vandalism had raised concerns about their safety, undermining the sense of security in a place where worshippers seek peace and spiritual comfort.
Maronite Church condemns vandalism: 'We will not respond to destruction with hatred'
The Maronite Archdiocese in Haifa issued a statement strongly condemning the incident.
The archdiocese described the vandalism as an attack on the sanctity of a place of worship and on the right of believers to practice their religion freely, safely, and with dignity.
Church leaders called on the authorities to investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice. They also demanded measures to protect the prayer hall and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The archdiocese emphasized that the community would continue holding religious services at the site despite the damage.
"We will not allow this act of vandalism to deter us from exercising our natural right to pray and worship God. We will continue to use this hall and hold our prayers there, with faith, determination, and peace," the statement said.
The archdiocese further declared that "we do not respond to harm with harm, and we do not respond to destruction with hatred."
However, church leaders stressed that tolerance did not mean remaining silent in the face of harm or relinquishing their rights.
Police: 'All avenues of investigation are being examined'
Israel Police said the Nahariya police station had immediately opened an investigation after receiving a complaint about the vandalism.
Investigators were carrying out a range of investigative activities, and all possible avenues of inquiry were being examined, police said.
"The Israel Police views seriously any violation of holy places and freedom of worship, and will act decisively, exhausting all means at its disposal to locate those responsible for the act and bring them to justice," police emphasized.
Follow us on GoogleSource: The Jerusalem Post · YOAV ETIEL
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