DHAKA: A landmark Christian holy site in Jerusalem was vandalized with Hebrew graffiti in what appears to be the latest attack by extremist Jews.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said anti-Christian slogans were found on Sunday on the outer walls of the Dormition Abbey, a Benedictine monastery located just outside Jerusalem’s Old City and where Christian tradition says the Virgin Mary died.

The graffiti included threats of violence, messages degrading Jesus, and a call for Christians to ‘go to hell’, reports Al Jazeera.

Police were investigating but suspicion immediately fell on Jewish extremists who have for years vandalized Palestinian property, as well as mosques, churches, the offices of dovish Israeli groups - and even Israeli military bases.

The so-called ‘price tag’ attacks seek to exact a cost for Israeli steps seen as favoring the Palestinians.

That attacks have prompted widespread condemnation and pledges by Israel’s government to get tougher on Jewish vigilantes.

Israel’s public security minister Gilad Erdan said he has instructed police to give the vandalism case top priority.

‘We will not allow anyone to undermine the coexistence between religions in Israel. We will show zero tolerance to whomever harms the democratic foundations of Israel and its freedom of religion, and we will apprehend those who carried out this heinous act,’ he said.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the vandalism.

The Benedictine abbey is a popular site for pilgrims and tourists. It has been damaged several times in recent years.

BDST: 2140 HRS, JAN 17, 2016
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