Burnt holy books were found in a synagogue on McDonald Street in Netanya, Israel, after police responded to a complaint about anti-Semitic graffiti at the entrance to the same synagogue.
A preliminary police examination of the site revealed burnt holy books and a bag containing a brazier. There were satanic inscriptions and symbols on the walls.
Former MK Yoni Shtabun (Habayit Hayehudi), who ran in the recent elections for mayor of his home town of Netanya, connected the disturbing offense to the discourse against religion during the elections:
“A shocking event, a hate event in a synagogue in our city. I spoke with representatives of the police, who believe the criminals will soon be caught.
“One other big-small item: during and even after the mayoral elections, a small (really small) group unleashed insults, curses and disdain for against Jewish tradition, our religion and individuals who wear yarmulkes, that were filled with lies and hatred. This, of course, served certain political elements.
“The truth is, I did not expect such a thing to happen in our city, Netanya, where we grew up.
“Today it is already clear, we can live together in our city. Elected officials, residents and families know how to respect one another and of course the roots of the Jewish nation.
“The event in the synagogue is an extreme case that does not reflect Netanya at all. But it is certainly a real opportunity to talk about what happened during the elections.”
The first report about a Satanic cult in Israel was on May 19, 1990, when IDF soldier Assaf Eldar, 18 and a half, a Russian immigrant, committed suicide by jumping from the tenth floor of a shopping mall in Rishon Letzion. Satanic symbols were found on his backpack and diary. He wrote in the diary that he belonged to the cult.
The most serious incident involving the Satanic cult reported in Israel was the murder of Amit Molcho, 16, who was found dead after sustaining dozens of knife cuts in an orchard near his home in Rehovot in June 1995. It was the first time that an individual—a homeless man the victim had taken pity of and who was member of the Satanic cult—was convicted in Israel of committing ritual murder.