02:25East Jerusalem: Police arrest suspect after arson attack at church next to Garden of Gethsemane
An arson attack took place inside the Church of All Nations in the Mount of Olives area of East Jerusalem on Friday.
The suspected arsonist, according to local media an Israeli resident, was arrested shortly after spilling flammable material inside the church and lighting it on fire fire which caused minor damage to the benches and the mosaic floor.
"Of course, this is a terrorist and criminal act that is rejected by all," said the church's priest, Ibrahim Faltas, adding that "Had it not been for the workers here and neighbours who managed to detain him, the damage would have been much more that this."
The church, also known as the Basilica or Church of the Agony, was built in 1924. It is next to the Garden of Gethesemane, the location where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and subsequently arrested by the Romans before being crucified.
02:25An arson attack took place inside the Church of All Nations in the Mount of Olives area of East Jerusalem on Friday.
The suspected arsonist, according to local media an Israeli resident, was arrested shortly after spilling flammable material inside the church and lighting it on fire fire which caused minor damage to the benches and the mosaic floor.
"Of course, this is a terrorist and criminal act that is rejected by all," said the church's priest, Ibrahim Faltas, adding that "Had it not been for the workers here and neighbours who managed to detain him, the damage would have been much more that this."
The church, also known as the Basilica or Church of the Agony, was built in 1924. It is next to the Garden of Gethesemane, the location where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and subsequently arrested by the Romans before being crucified.