Security guards at the Tel Regev cemetery in northern Israel were attacked for a second time in ten days. One person affiliated with the cemetery feels the attacks are the result of a tender to provide security for the cemetery.

The most recent attack took place between Monday night and Tuesday, 12 Menachem Av when the sentry booth at the entrance to the cemetery was targeted and an irrigation system damaged in the amount of tens of thousands of shekels.

Back in April the cemetery was vandalized, items stolen and the director threatened subsequent attacks led to the destruction of surveillance cameras and attacks against security guards including the use of stun grenades. It is explained that the attacks began after the security guards from the nearby village of Avitin were fired, replaced by another security company.

Cemetery manager Aryeh Ferjon explains “The situation has reverted back to what it was earlier, with attacks against guards at the entrance as well as property damage including the vehicle belonging to guards”. Ferjon sent an urgent letter to Minister of Religious Services David Azoulai, and Oded Flus, the director-general of the Ministry of Religious Services.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)