Israeli Investigation Launched After Vandalism of Maronite Church in Nahariya and Discovery of Mysterious Message

The "Jerusalem Post" reported that Maronites, including former members of the South Lebanon Army, in the city of Nahariya, were shocked yesterday, Sunday, November 1, after worshippers discovered smashed statues and vandalized images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Charbel inside a prayer hall used by the community as a church. A message written in English was found on the altar asking for forgiveness, stating in essence: "I don't know what came over me."

The newspaper clarified that Father Youssef Yaqoub, spokesperson for the Maronite community in Israel, said the vandalism was discovered around 5:30 PM when a worshipper entered the hall before a service scheduled for 7:00 PM. Police have opened an investigation and are examining all possibilities, adding that the identity of those responsible and their motives remain unknown, and it is too early to determine if the incident was motivated by religious hatred.

The newspaper noted that the hall is located on municipal land near a public park and serves approximately 1,100 people, dozens of whom attend Sunday masses and hundreds during holidays. Members of the Maronite community expressed anger, distress, and feelings of unwelcome, especially since families with children participate in prayers, raising concerns about their safety.

The newspaper concluded that the Maronite Archdiocese of Haifa strongly condemned the incident, describing it as an assault on the sanctity of a place of worship and the right of believers to practice their religious rites freely, safely, and with dignity. It called on authorities to investigate, identify those responsible, hold them accountable, and take measures to protect the church, affirming that the Maronites there will continue their prayers at the site despite the damage, and that they "do not respond to harm with harm or vandalism with hate," but emphasized that tolerance does not mean silence in the face of damage or relinquishing rights.