Man suspected of vandalizing Haifa succa

Several siddurim were thrown out of the succa, some of which had been defaced with swastikas.

succah 88 (photo credit: )
succah 88
(photo credit: )
A 19-year-old was arrested Sunday on suspicion of vandalizing a succa in Haifa. The succa, located near a synagogue in Neve David, was set fire Saturday night, and several siddurim were hurled out, some of which had been defaced with swastikas and abusive graffiti. During his interrogation, the 19-year-old admitted to the aforementioned allegations. Several anti-Semitic incidents have been reported in Haifa in the last few weeks, and the 19-year-old also confessed to recently etching swastikas into two vehicles and assaulting a 75-year-old Holocaust survivor, who had claimed that that her attacker shouted "Heil Hitler" at her. Two weeks ago, the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office revealed a lengthy charge sheet against alleged members of a neo-Nazi gang operating in the Petah Tikva area. The indictment sheet presented by prosecutor Ilan Shadi included offenses such as aggravated assault on the basis of racism, as well as owning and distributing racist literature and incitement. Alleged gang leader Arik "Eli the Nazi" Boanayev, 20, faces additional charges including carrying out threats and assault leading to injury. At least one other alleged group member is facing charges of illegal weapons possession, including firearms and explosives recovered by police. Rebecca Anna Stoil contributed to this report.