Israeli Settlers Attack Catholic Monastery in ‘Price Tag’ Strike

Church Urges Israel to Change 'Culture of Contempt'

by Jason Ditz, September 04, 2012

Israeli settlers launched an arson attack against a Catholic (Trappist) monastery outside of Jerusalem today, burning the door and spray-painting anti-Christian graffiti on the walls, the latest in a growing number of “price tag” attacks by the settler movement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed it a “criminal act” and promised an investigation into the matter. History suggests, however, that this attack will go the same way as so many others, ending with no prosecutions.

In the meantime, top Catholic officials in the region are expressing major concern about the attacks, attributing them to a policy of “teaching of contempt against Christians” in Israeli society and warning that such attacks are becoming increasingly common against their community.

“Price tag” attacks have regularly targeted Christians and Muslims nationwide in Israel, with the settlers seeking to protest against limitations to the expansion of their settlements in the occupied West Bank by attacking religious minorities inside Israel in “retaliation.”

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