Israeli released after vandalising site of Last Supper in Jerusalem

An Israeli who threw stones at the windows of Cenacle, which is believed to be the site of the Last Supper, outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls was released by the Jerusalem Magistrates Court on Friday, under the condition that he would stay away from the historic area for 30 days.

The suspect, who was known by police, threw stones at the windows, smashing the stained glass. He was promptly detained by a security guard who was on site, after which police arrived to take him into custody.

The release comes as Christians in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem have faced an uptick in harassment. In a number of incidents, Christian clerics have been spat at by Israelis.

"We're very angry, we feel that we've been fooled. The only way to stop this deal is to reverse the contract in order to protect the Armenian Quarter."

How secret land deals threaten the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City https://t.co/hGdObUzcWn

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) June 5, 2023

In addition to harassment, there have been notable acts of vandalism since the beginning of the year, such as the desecration of graves in a Protestant cemetery on Mount Zion, and the vandalisation of an Armenian monastery in Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter that occurred in January. 

The recent violence prompted the Center for the Study of Relations Between Jews, Christians and Muslims at the Open University of Israel to organise a conference on the issue.

However, the conference was forced to move from the Tower of David Museum, with sources telling the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that aides to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon threatened to fire the museum director if the event was held there.

Israel has occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City, which contains Muslim, Christian, and Jewish holy sites, ever since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.