Jerusalem Police Arrest Teens for Vandalizing Reform Synagogue

Jerusalem police have arrested three minors suspected of vandalizing the "Kol HaNeshama" Reform synagogue in the city's Baka neighborhood. The arrests followed a series of incidents targeting the synagogue, which included property damage and religious insults, according to a police statement released Wednesday.

The synagogue was defaced on Yom Kippur, with unknown individuals tearing down a Pride flag displayed outside. This marks the second time a Pride flag has been removed from the premises and the fourth attack on the place of worship within a month.

The string of incidents began on August 16, when teenagers broke a window, entered the building, and removed a Pride flag. On September 13, during the second day of Rosh Hashanah, an individual threw eggs at congregants leaving the synagogue. The night before Yom Kippur, a perpetrator broke a window screen on the men's restroom and threw an object inside, causing it to shatter.

Anna Kislansky, CEO of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, condemned the attacks, stating, "This is the fourth time in a month that our community has been harmed, and the police have yet to locate those responsible." She attributed the violence to "systematic incitement against Reform Jews, including from elected officials," and called on authorities to take the incidents seriously, protect the community, and bring the perpetrators to justice. Kislansky affirmed that the community would not be deterred and would continue its egalitarian prayer services.

Investigators are expected to seek extensions of the minors' detention in court as the investigation continues.