Maronite community forgives vandals who targeted historic church in Nahariya

Father Yosef Yaakov, spokesperson for the Maronite community in Israel, expressed shock and dismay over the vandalism of a prayer hall in Nahariya, located in northern Israel, over the weekend, but also emphasized the community’s willingness to forgive.

The prayer hall, part of the historic Nahariya Christian center, was found with smashed statues and damaged religious images. It is primarily used by veterans of the South Lebanon Army (SLA) and their families, who found refuge in Israel following the IDF’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in July 2000.

Statues and other religious images, as well as pieces of furniture and wall coverings, were found damaged when community members arrived for worship services on Sunday morning. A note written in English was also found on the altar saying, “I am so sorry, I don’t know what came over me to make me do that. Please forgive me.”

Police have opened an investigation into the incident, noting that the prayer hall is part of a complex of buildings and gardens owned and maintained by the municipality.

Father Yaakov told journalists that the vandalism was discovered at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, when a member of the community arrived to prepare for a prayer service scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

"We are waiting for the police to investigate," he said, adding that the motive for the vandalism remained unclear and that it was too early to accuse anyone of religious hatred.

He added, however, that regardless of the motivation, the community felt deep pain over seeing a place of great religious and personal importance damaged in this way. Some congregants told him that it makes them feel unwelcome in the city, while some have expressed feelings of anger and distress. Families with children are among those who regularly attend services at the prayer hall and Yaakov expressed concern for their safety as well as their emotional health.

Nevertheless, Yaakov said the community forgives those who vandalized the church.

The Maronite Archdiocese in Haifa also issued a statement condemning the incident and calling on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

"We will not allow this act of vandalism to deter us from exercising our natural right to pray and worship God. We will continue to use this hall and hold our prayers there, with faith, determination, and peace," the statement said. However, the statement added, "We do not respond to harm with harm, and we do not respond to destruction with hatred."

In its statement, police said: “The Israel Police views seriously any violation of holy places and freedom of worship, and will act decisively, exhausting all means at its disposal to locate those responsible for the act and bring them to justice.”

The Maronite community in Israel numbers approximately 1,100 people. Several dozen worshippers attend Sunday services, while hundreds gather for religious holidays, including Christmas and Easter.