An Israeli Catholic Church and pilgrimage site was burned in a possible example of Jewish extremism, Israeli police say.
The Church of the Multiplication burst into flames Wednesday night in the second attack in the last two years. Jewish youths threw rocks at pilgrims, as well as destroying a cross says German monk Father Matthias Karl.
The Church of the Multiplication is said to be built on the site of the location where Jesus Christ performed his miracle of the feeding of the multitudes near modern day Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee. It is built on top of a former 1,500-year old Byzantine church.
Church of the Multiplication
According to the New York Times, these type of religious-based attacks have become more common in Israel as of late. Typically, extreme Jews, who happen to live in the West Bank, are placed with the blame on attacks to mosques and churches alike.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said of the attack:
"Such terrible desecration of an ancient and holy place of prayer is an attack on the very fabric of life in our country, where people of different faiths seek to live together in harmony and mutual tolerance and respect."
There was a Jewish prayer that called for the eradication of idol worship spray painted on the wall of the burned building.
Two individuals were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Israeli officials arrested 16 youths, but were released on lack of evidence. The nationalist crimes unit will continue their investigation into the arson.