03/13/2019 Israel (International Christian Concern) – Controversy has erupted within Israel after the courts on Monday decided to acquit two men who were believed to have vandalized Jerusalem’s Dormition Abbey in 2015.

The vandalization included a number of anti-Christian comments regarding Jesus and Mary. One of the suspects was also facing an indictment for torching the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, on the Sea of Galilee, in 2015.

According to Israeli prosecutors, there was not enough evidence to convict the men of vandalization. Church officials have called this decision unacceptable, saying that the authorities must find and punish those who attack holy sites and Christian churches in order to deter other incidents.

Dormition Abbey is believed to be the location where the Virgin Mary died and has been targeted by numerous vandalization attacks throughout the decades.

For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].