In a deeply disturbing incident overnight, the beis medrash of the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, was set on fire in the Sanhedria neighborhood of Yerushalayim.
The blaze, which authorities have described as an act of arson, destroyed the rav‘s chair and some sefarim.
Security footage from the scene revealed harrowing images of the fire tearing through the beis medrash, while walls nearby were found vandalized with swastikas and Christian symbols, evidence pointing to an antisemitic hate crime.
The shul that was targeted is Or Chaviv, where Rav Yitzchak Yosef regularly davens and delivers shiurim. The perpetrators apparently gained access overnight and deliberately set fire to the shul.
Surveillance cameras documented the attack, and images from the scene show the devastating aftermath of the blaze.
Israeli police launched an immediate investigation and are treating the incident with utmost seriousness. Graffiti discovered on an adjacent building include crosses and other markings.
Volunteers from the Mishmar security team were among the first to notice heavy smoke emerging from the building in the early hours of the morning. They quickly assisted fire and rescue services in containing the blaze and joined police in combing the area for suspects.
“We arrived at the shul and saw the flames. We rushed to help the emergency teams,” recounted Moshe Mishali, Yona Diamond, and Shlomo Richmond, three volunteers with Mishmar. “But nothing could have prepared us for the horrifying sights we saw—the burned-out shul, the desecration, and hateful symbols scrawled nearby.”
Minister of Religious Affairs Michael Malchieli issued a forceful condemnation: “These shocking images, with clear antisemitic symbols in the Or Chaviv shul where Maran Rishon LeTzion Harav Yitzchak Yosef shlita davens, are deeply disturbing. All religious leaders—of all faiths—must denounce such vile acts. I call upon the Israeli Police to act swiftly and with full force against the perpetrators of this disgraceful crime.”

{Matzav.com Israel}