Israeli police have detained seven people suspected of desecrating Christian and Muslim religious sites in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Police said the suspects were questioned over conduct that could endanger public safety and were subsequently released under restrictions.
Three adults were detained over allegations that they vandalised Muslim gravesites. Police released footage purportedly showing three individuals approaching a tombstone, with two of them allegedly kicking it.
The other four suspects were detained “in real time” after allegedly spitting at the Armenian Patriarchate compound, according to police.
Security camera footage published by Arabic media on Wednesday also showed at least one incident involving a person allegedly spitting at the Patriarchate’s St. James Cathedral. The incident reportedly occurred the previous night.
However, police said the four suspects arrested over the spitting allegations were detained later in the week after allegedly carrying out similar acts at the church compound.
