http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/148446Chief Rabbis Condemn Suspected Mosque Arson
Israel's chief rabbis condemned all religiously motivated violence while surveying the burnt Tuba Zangria mosque.
Israel's chief rabbis condemned the suspected arson of a mosque in the village of Tuba Zangria on Monday.
The rabbis accompanied Israeli President Shimon Peres to survey the burnt mosque as a part of an ecumenical delegation consisting of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze religious leaders. During the visit the rabbis expressed their opposition to all religiously motivated violence.
"I and my fellow religious leaders crying out for the police, who have the criminal in custody, to prosecute the perpetrator to the full extent the law allows," Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar said. "This is blasphemy, a desecration of the State of Israel, and a desecration of all peoples and religions."
"We all have to speak loudly against terrorism,” Rabbi Amar added, finishing with the prayer "He makes peace in His heights."
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger said the Jewish people's persecution for its own religious beliefs had had sensitized them in their attitude to other faiths.
"Seventy years ago they burned synagogues and Torah scrolls," Rabbi Metzger said. "We cannot accept that will happen to any other religion.
The mosque as a house of worship is a synagogue and the Embassy of God. It must not harm."
The two chief rabbis’ statements echo those of Rabbi Chaim Druckman, who earlier on Monday, condemned so-called 'price tag' attacks, which many have assumed the Mosque fire is a result of.
"All of the actions that are undertaken under the headline 'Price Tag' are horrible, shocking, anti-Jewish and anti-morality," Rabbi Druckman said.
Rabbinic condemnation of violence targeting religious sanctuaries and texts has been widespread following the Zangria mosque fire.
Earlier Monday police announced they several suspects in custody, but have not revealed their identities or established their guilt. The investigation is ongoing.
For his part, President Shimon Peres immediately asked local Sheikh Muammad Ciwan for forgiveness for the suspected arson.
"I am full of shame and disgrace on the odious act," Peres said. "I came here, saw the mosque burnt and I'm shaken to the core. This is blasphemy and we will not tolerate this abomination. I believe that there is not one Israeli who is not ashamed to face the fire in the mosque. This heinous act is not only against the law, it is against Judaism, morality and spirit."