going home ... to yerushalayim: List of anti-semitic attacks and vandalism against synagogues in Israel PART II

07 January 2026

List of anti-semitic attacks and vandalism against synagogues in Israel PART II

2016

Letter to MK Gilad Erdan from MK David Azulai asking that the perpetrators of the desecration of a synagogue in Arad be brought to justice (13-Dec-2016)
January 12
In Tel Aviv, anti-Semitic graffiti were scrawled on the walls of a synagogue in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood.^[49]July 6
In Bnei Brak, a synagogue was set on fire damaging prayer books.^[50]October 13
In Katamon, in a repeat attack, black crosses were sprayed on the external walls of an Iranian Orthodox synagogue during Yom Kippur.^[51]November 24
In Raanana, a Reform synagogue was sprayed hate graffiti and death threats were left in envelopes on its doorstep held down by a knife addressed to prominent Reform leaders.^[52]December 12
In Arad, anti-religious activists stormed the central Ashkenazi synagogue disturbing prayers of the Hasidic community.^[53] A speaker at an emergency meeting called by MK Yaakov Litzman said "It is inconceivable that something that would not be done to Jews in enemy states, such as Iran, should be done to Jews here in Israel."^[54] The incident led to tens of thousands of people protesting in Bnei Brak,^[55] Jerusalem^[56] and Ashdod.^[57]2017
April 12
In Petah Tikva, a swastika is sprayed next to a synagogue on the first day of Passover.^[58]May 20
In Meah Shearim, the Chabad synagogue was trashed and had various liquids smeared over the walls.^[59]June 3
In Petah Tikva, two synagogues, (one on Sokolov Street, the other on Usishkin Street), were sprayed with swastikas.^[60]June 21
In Nahlaot, swastikas were daubed inside a synagogue next to the Holy Ark.^[61]2018
March 8
In Ramat Beit Shemesh, black paint was poured all over the floor of the women's section and pamphlets containing speeches given at a recent prayer rally were ruined.^[62]May 15
In Netanya, a Masorti synagogue was targeted four times having its windows smashed and leaving members feeling scared and vulnerable. One said "we came to Israel to escape persecution and to practice and live our Jewish faith. It is hard to believe that this is happening to us in Israel.^[63]August 14
In Petah Tikvah, the Mikdash Moshe synagogue was vandalized with Nazi graffiti.^[64]September 12
In Rehovot, eggs were thrown on multiple occasions at women outside the Kretshnif synagogue.^[65]November 3
In Beit Shemesh, the Beis Mordechai synagogue had its mezuzah ripped off and windows smashed.^[66]November 9
In Ramat Hasharon, a pig's head was hung over the entrance to the Sukkat Shaul synagogue.^[67] MK Moti Yogev said his father "would not have believed he would see such an anti-Semitic sight in the State of Israel."^[68]November 26
In Ashkelon, two synagogues were daubed with satanic symbols in the space of a month.^[69]2019
January 26
In Netanya, "Hail Satan" was sprayed on the walls of the Orthodox MacDonald synagogue and prayer books were burnt.^[70] The same night, Reform congregation Natan-Ya was flooded, damaging the structure, furniture and prayer books. The rabbi commented that "if this would happen in the States there would be a much bigger outcry."^[71]January 28
In Kiryat Yovel, furniture and prayer books were damaged at the Siach Yisrael synagogue and the Torah scrolls were thrown to the floor and doused in acid.^[72] Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon said "I've never seen something like this. Four Torah books thrown on the ground, they simply defiled them... Such a thing can't be in Jerusalem, in the land of Israel. We know these solely from dark periods in the Diaspora." Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem Aryeh Stern referred to it as a "heinous crime similar to what was witnessed at the hands of the wicked Nazis during the Holocaust."^[73] Shas chairman Aryeh Deri said "It's hard to believe how such a despicable, anti-Semitic pogrom could happen in a synagogue, here in the land of Israel." The French Ambassador expressed her shock by saying "The vandalization of the hall in memory of Jonatan Sandler, one of the victims of the anti-Semitic terror at Toulouse in 2012, is a disgrace."^[74]May 10
In Bnei Ayish, a synagogue was set on fire and sprayed with graffiti.^[75]May 15
In Lod, vandals caused widespread damage to an Indian-Jewish congregation.^[76]June 9
In Bnei Brak on Shavuot night, a pack of delinquent Haredi youths stormed the Dorog Bais Medrash injuring 20 hasidim and causing considerable damage by letting off a fire extinguisher. They also targeted the Antania synagogue and the Machnovka Bais Medrash, stealing items and breaking fixtures in every building.^[77]June 11
In Bnei Brak, four Torah scrolls were stolen from the Tiferes Shimon synagogue and other holy books were left on the floor.^[78]July 28
In Ashkelon, an Ethiopian synagogue received a threatening letter with swastikas.^[79]August
In Rosh Haayin, an arsonist was arrested for targeting three synagogues, including two in Petah Tikvah where several Torah scrolls were burned at the Beilinson Hospital.^[80]August 7
In Bat Yam, anti-religious graffiti was sprayed on the wall of Heichal Yaakov, the town's oldest synagogue.^[81]December 22
In Modi'in Illit, the Holy Ark had been broken into and suffered fire damage. Silverware from the Torah scrolls was stolen.^[82]2020
May 12
In Yerucham, the Holy Ark of the Tiferes Yisrael synagogue was destroyed and Torah scrolls desecrated. A similar incident occurred at the B’levav Shalem yeshivah.^[83]2021
March 30
Two synagogues in Ramat Gan had chametz intentionally left by their front door during Passover. A loaf of bread was found stuffed in the front door handle of one, while pieces of bread were scattered around the entrance of the other.^[84]April 5
Two arson attacks against synagogues in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan took place within 15 minutes of each other, one having its Holy Ark set alight.^[85]May 11–19
Ten synagogues in Lod were burned in arson attacks by Arab rioters.^[86]August 31
In Bnei Brak, swastikas were daubed on the side of two synagogues. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the vandalism "a despicable act of evil."^[87]

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