US tourist, 40, is arrested in Israel

[hollydolly]

for smashing ancient Roman statues he considered 'blasphemous and 'against Torah' during wrecking rampage in a Jerusalem museum​

A US tourist has been arrested in Israel for smashing ancient Roman statues he considered to be 'blasphemous' and 'in violation of the Torah' during a wrecking rampage in a Jerusalem museum.

The 40-year-old tourist was arrested by Israel Police yesterday for intentionally damaging ancient Roman statues displayed at the Israel Museum.

The museum said that the only two artifacts destroyed were 'ancient Roman statues dating to the 2nd century CE' housed in the archaeology wing.

Images released by authorities showed the sculptures that had been removed from their pedestals lying on the floor, one with a severed head and the other broken into several pieces.

Security forces detained the suspect in the museum before the police arrived after he was seen damaging the statues, which police said have 'sentimental' value.
The museum said the attack was 'worrying' and 'severe,' but noted that it would not affect its operations or opening hours.

The Israel Museum said that the two destroyed artefacts were “ancient Roman statues dating to the 2nd century CE” which were featured in the archaeology wing.

'We condemn all forms of violence and hope such events do not happen again.'

Police said the investigation is ongoing. The suspect was set to be brought in front of the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday to extend his arrest.

The Israel Museum is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and is ranked among the world's leading art and archaeology museums.

US tourist, 40, arrested in Israel for smashing ancient Roman statues

 

[VaughanJB]

See. It's a mental illness, imo. These people need to be punished. For my sins, I've been entertaining myself by watching/reading QAnon material lately, especially the religious right in the US. It's a madhouse. I mean, they're certifiably insane. I don't know where this guy gets his ideas from, but like the Muslims who attack people over drawings, it's a crazy thought process. IMO YMMV.

 

[RadishRose]

Crackpot!

 

[Nathan]

After he gets out of prison he should then be made to pay for restoration of the items he smashed up.

 

[hollydolly]

Yes ..this is likely to be an absolute attention seeking POG ..

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Somehow, I'm not shocked by a religious zealot, who disfigures pagan art works to rid the world of their sinfulness.

 

[Teacher Terry]

After he gets out of prison he should then be made to pay for restoration of the items he smashed up.

I totally agree Nathan!!

 

[dilettante]

What's at the core of this though? Could it be an extreme response to anything that might be perceived to challenge personal convictions that hang by a thread?

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I don't know why tourists feel they can go to other countries and deface or destroy property! I agree with what @Nathan wrote (Post #4). I wonder how much time he'll get.

 

[hollydolly]

I don't know why tourists feel they can go to other countries and deface or destroy property! I agree with what @Nathan wrote (Post #4). I wonder how much time he'll get.

Now there's a war on, he'll be a very lucky man is he's not lost in the Jail system