Serious Vandalism at Ancient Tiberias Synagogue

Employees ofthe Hamat TiberiasNational Parkwho arrivedat the siteTuesdaymorning were shockedto find agreatdeal of vandalism to its ancient synagogue, causedby unknown suspects during the evening. Among other things, the vandals sprayedgraffiti andsmashed parts of the synagogue's ancientmosaicinscriptions.

Chief Executive Officer ShaulGoldstein of the Nature and Natural Parks Authoritysaid, "We see theincidentvery seriouslyandwe willprosecute theoffenders.These arecultural and heritageassetswhich arehundreds ofyears old.The Nature and Parks Authorityandthe Israel Antiquities Authorityare responsible forpreserving thepreciousheritage assetsofthe State of Israelandwe will worktogetherfor the full rehabilitation of thedamage done tothe exhibitsandthe ancient synagogueon the site.It's a million shekels worth of damagebutimmediatelyafterwe makean accurate assessment, we will beginthe longrehabilitation process."