A mosque in the northern community of Ibtin, located in the Zevulun Regional Council, was targeted in a vandal attack on Tuesday night. Several Magen Davids were painted on the structure along with the graffiti “price tag” and “slated for demoltion”.

A mosque official told reporters that three youths wearing kipot were spotted in the town center on Tuesday night and when asked what they were doing, they responded they were searching for a missing dog. The teens stated they were from nearby Rechasim, with the mosque official adding the relationship between the two communities used to be one of mutual respect, but during recent years, tensions are visible. He stated his community’s cemetery was vandalized a number of times in recent years.

After an investigation, police arrested four Yeshiva students from neighboring Kfar Chasidim in regards to the vandalism.

The four 18-year-olds are suspected of spraying graffiti slogan that read: “Up for demolition,” “Price tag,” and “War will break out in Judea and Samaria.” Star of David signs were also sprayed on the building.

The suspects were transferred for questioning at the Hof District Police Central Unit offices, and their rooms were searched by the unit’s officers.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)