Price-tag attack suspected at Muslim cemetery in Jerusalem

Islamic Movement files complaint after tombstones spray-painted in cemetery in Mamila quarter of capital.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Tag Mehir graffiti 370 (photo credit: Iyad Hadad, B'tselem)
Tag Mehir graffiti 370
(photo credit: Iyad Hadad, B'tselem)
Several Muslim tombstones were spray-painted with the words “death to Arabs” and “price-tag” in Hebrew at Mamilla Cemetery in what police are deeming a nationalistically-motivated hate crime at the historic site, adjacent to Jerusalem’s Independence Park.
According to a police spokesperson on Sunday, none of the ancient tombs were damaged, and although the defacement was reported on Saturday, the graffiti was likely sprayed several days earlier.
“This definitely didn’t happen over the last 24 to 48 hours,” the spokesperson said, adding that no suspects have been identified in the case.
Amid calls for a stronger police presence throughout the capital following a spate of nationalistically motivated price-tag crimes in recent weeks, authorities have created a special task force to to aggressively address the growing problem.