Jerusalem Man Arrested Over 'Holocaust in Gaza' Graffiti at Multiple Religious Sites

A 27-year-old Jerusalem resident was arrested for the second time on suspicion of spraying the phrase "There is a Holocaust in Gaza" on sacred sites, most recently inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and previously on the Western Wall. Surveillance footage linked the suspect to both incidents, prompting police to reopen the investigation and seek extended detention. Despite police concerns, a judge previously released the man under restrictive conditions citing medical documents and family testimony indicating mental health issues, describing the case as "sad" and stating there was no danger. The suspect, from an ultra-Orthodox family in the Ramot neighborhood, was apprehended with spray paint near the church following reports of suspicious activity. The acts of vandalism have raised public alarm about security at Jerusalem's key religious landmarks, with religious authorities condemning the desecration. Israeli officials continue to investigate the motive behind targeting these prominent Jewish and Christian sites amid ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Gaza.