After the desecration of several graves in a Christian cemetery in Jerusalem, the Israeli police arrested two teenagers. The suspects from Israel are 18 and 14 years old, said a police spokesman on Friday.
They are accused of “wantonly destroying tombstones and damaging the cemetery”. The incident happened last Sunday. According to media reports, more than 30 graves are affected.
Security camera footage shared on social media showed two young men throwing large stones at graves and knocking over a cross at the Zion Protestant Cemetery. The act drew international criticism.
The German ambassador in Israel, Steffen Seibert, spoke on Wednesday after it became known about “despicable criminal behavior”. Established in 1848, the cemetery also serves as a burial place for the German-speaking Protestant community in Jerusalem.
According to media reports, among the desecrated graves were the graves of three Palestinian police officers and members of various Protestant communities, including Bishop Samuel Gobat, second Protestant bishop of Jerusalem.
According to the police, the suspects are to be brought before the magistrate on Friday. (dpa)
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