Twenty-five tombstones were vandalized in two cemeteries in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv over Yom Kippur, one Muslim and one Christian. Graffiti stating “price tag” and “death to Arabs” was sprawled on the tombstones. This will undoubtedly spark new racial tensions throughout the country on the heels of the mosque attack in the Galil last week.

As was the case in the arson attack against a mosque in Tuba el-Zangaria, there was graffiti on the scene pointing to right-wing extremists operating under the banner of “Price Tag”, indicating there is a price that will be paid for the unacceptable government policies targeting Jews throughout Yehuda and Shomron. A suspect was arrested in that case, a Jewish male from the north. He denies any connection to the arson attack which gutted the mosque.

The damage was discovered on Yom Kippur, but it is not clear when the cemeteries were actually vandalized. Police have launched investigations, adding that as of motzei Shabbos, no suspects were in custody. Most of the damage was done in the Muslim cemetery, at least 22 tombstones, as compared to less than 5 in the Christian cemetery.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa Councilman Sami Abu Shahade is quoted by Ynet as saying, “This is an expected result of the policy promoted by the Netanyahu-Lieberman government. Price tag acts are not punished and security forces show helplessness vis-à-vis the settlers. The result is a green light for settlers and radicals to continue their activities as usual, because Netanyahu decided that price tag acts will carry no price tag.”

MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi is calling upon the government to provide security for Islamic holy sites.

A new Facebook page has been launched to display the photos of the damage in an effort to increase awareness and support to condemn the attacks.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)