The Facts
On Friday, Israeli police said they arrested two teenagers, aged 14 and 18, suspected of vandalizing a Protestant cemetery in Jerusalem on Jan. 1. The unidentified suspects are reportedly residents of central Israel.
Jerusalem's Anglican Archbishop Hosam Naoum had condemned the desecration of the cemetery in Mount Zion on Wednesday, calling it a cowardly and disgusting act and a "clear hate crime" towards Christians.
The Spin
Narrative A
The New Year's Day attack is the latest sign of tension between Christians and Jewish extremists in Israel. In recent years, Jewish extremists — seeking to cleanse their nation of religious minorities — have carried out acts of vandalism at Christian sites across the country without fear of prosecution or justice. If the Netanyahu government resists preventive measures to protect the community, radical Israeli groups will ultimately drive Christians out.
Narrative B
While the perpetrators of this incident must be held to account, allegations that Christians are frequently the target of sustained attacks by radical groups are baseless and distorted. Israel is a democratic state and has finally formed a popular government. Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to protecting the country from radical Islamists and its citizens from coercion, irrespective of their faith. The West must support Israel instead of tarnishing its image with propaganda.
