Swastikas at Avraham spring, Hebron. Photo: Yonatan Atiya/Tazpit News Agency.

The Jewish residents of Hebron experienced two Anti-Semitic acts of vandalism over the weekend.

Hikers who visited the Avraham spring on Friday (July 12) were dismayed to discover that the site had been covered with swastikas. Harel Zehira, a youth group leader who discovered the shocking sight, told Tazpit News Agency: “We were shocked by the spectacle. We immediately notified the security forces and worked to erase the vandalism.”

Swastikas at Avraham spring, Hebron. Photo: Yonatan Atiya/Tazpit News Agency.

Noam Arnon, spokesman for the Jewish community in Hebron, added in an interview with Tazpit News Agency: “There is no doubt that the collaboration between world Anti-Semitism and radical Islam is a dangerous phenomenon which should be eradicated. I believe these actions do not represent most of the residents of Hebron and are the actions of a radical and dangerous minority which should be dealt with in kind.”

In another incident, while the Tomb of the Patriarchs was closed for Jews on Friday and opened solely for Muslims for the Ramadan festivities, several Mezuzot were torn from the door posts and damaged by Muslim prayer-goers.

Doorpost where Mezuzah was torn from at the Tomb of the Patriarchs. Photo: Tomb of the Patriarchs Administration.

Member of Knesset Orit Struk, a resident of Hebron, told Tazpit News Agency: “The Arabs took the opportunity they had on Friday to desecrate the Mezuzot. We cannot be silent about this incident. For 700 years of Muslim occupation the Tomb of the Patriarchs was completely closed to Jews. Today, when the State of Israel is considerate of Muslims’ holidays and enables them full use of the site – they exploit it to harm Jewish symbols. I expect the Muslim leaders in Hebron and Israel to apologize to the Jewish People and condemn this heinous episode.”

Following the incident, Deputy Minister of Religious Services Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan visited the Tomb of the Patriarchs. He stated that: “As a Jew, I am deeply pained and distressed to witness this sacrilege in the Tomb of the Patriarchs. I cannot understand how Palestinians, who have come to pray, could commit such an ugly act. The Arab leaders should condemn these actions. I further call on the heads of state, including the President and Prime Minister to forcefully condemn this incident. We are talking about the place where our Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried, and as a Jew, I cannot be silent. During a meeting with the police this morning I requested that they track the offenders and apprehend them. On such a devastating ‘Price Tag’ action, one cannot be silent.”