1,100-person community shaken by note left on vandalized altar
Police are investigating the smashing of statues in a Nahariya prayer hall used by Maronite veterans, where an apology was written in English.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
A handwritten apology in English sat on the altar of a Maronite prayer hall in Nahariya, South Lebanon, on Sunday afternoon. The note asked for forgiveness for the smashed statues and damaged religious images found inside. The discovery occurred around 5:30 p.m., shortly before a service scheduled for 7 p.m. Father Yosef Yaakov, spokesperson for the Maronite community in Israel, said a worshipper entered the hall and found the destruction.
The prayer hall sits on municipal property next to a garden. It serves a community of roughly 1,100 people who are veterans of the South Lebanon Army. While several dozen people attend weekly Sunday services, hundreds gather for major religious holidays. The space is central to the spiritual life of these families, many of whom bring children to worship. Yaakov said the incident raised immediate concerns about the safety of those minors in a place meant for peace.
Nahariya police opened an investigation immediately after receiving the complaint. Officers are examining all possible leads to identify the person responsible. The police stated that they view violations of holy places with seriousness and will act decisively. They aim to locate the perpetrator and bring them to justice, exhausting all available investigative means in the process.
Yaakov said the motives behind the act remain unknown at this stage. He noted that it is too early to determine if the vandalism was driven by religious hatred. The community is currently waiting for the police to complete their inquiry. Worshippers expressed anger and distress over the damage to their spiritual home. Many reported feeling unwelcome, a sentiment that has lingered since the discovery.
The Maronite Archdiocese in Haifa issued a strong condemnation of the event. Leaders described the act as an attack on the sanctity of the space and the right to worship freely and with dignity. They called on authorities to protect the hall from similar future incidents. Despite the damage, the archdiocese confirmed that services would continue at the site.
In its statement, the archdiocese emphasized that the community would not let the vandalism deter their practice. They declared that they do not respond to destruction with hatred. The leaders stressed that tolerance does not mean silence in the face of harm. They affirmed their commitment to exercising their right to pray with faith and determination.
