JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police said in a statement on Friday that they arrested eight Jewish suspects Thursday night, some of whom were minors, for spitting at a church in the Old City of East Jerusalem.
Israeli news website Ynet reported that the suspects were part of a group that had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the start of the Hebrew month of Adar with a traditional Jewish ceremony at the gates of the Old City.
According to the police, six of the suspects were identified as having spat on the church during the ceremony. The other two were recognized after being recorded by police cameras during a similar incident about a month ago.
The suspects "desecrate religious institutions and vandalize shops," the police said, adding, "We will not tolerate expressions of hatred toward anyone -- Christians, Jews, or Muslims -- in Jerusalem."
"Unfortunately, we are witnessing a despicable and unacceptable hatred toward Christians in the Old City, primarily through spitting on the ground when passing by them or spitting at churches," said the police.
The police emphasized, "This disturbing phenomenon is damaging the unique fabric of life that has existed in this area for many years, where tourists and worshippers of all religions coexist side by side." ■
