Yinon Reuveni, was convicted Monday in the 2015 arson attack against the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish in the Gallil. The church is popular amongst Christian tourists to Israel.

The Nazareth District Court sentenced Reuveni, 22, to 4 years imprisonment and ordered him to pay the church NIS 50,000 ($14,000). He was also given two years of probation.

Defense attorney Itamar Ben-Givir has already announced he plans to appeal both the conviction and punishment. He is also critical of the system, explaining his client is viewed to be a ‘security prisoner’ and not permitted to leave his cell or work. He insists his client does not have the means to pay the fine levied by the court. Justice George Azoulai however rejected Ben-Givir’s arguments.

Portions of the church building and prayer books sustained heavy damage in the arson attack, as well graffiti using red paint to denounce idol worship.

Defendant Yehuda Asraf, 21, was acquitted in the case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)