A letterbomb sent to Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren and attempted arson at the synagogue he attends when in Tel Aviv were under investigation by police today. Although nothing official has been made public, police were said to be considering the possibility that both attempts were the work of religious zealots and were connected with Rabbi Goren’s long-standing dispute with Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
The letter bomb was delivered to police yesterday by Mrs. Goren who said she had been about to open it in her home when she became suspicious of the envelope. It was safely opened by the bomb squad who found a brief note inside referring to the Goren-Yosef quarrel, police sources said.
The attempted arson at the Komemiut Yisrael Synagogue was discovered by early morning worshippers yesterday. They reported that oil had been poured over a number of synagogue benches and set afire during the night. But the hard wood did not burn and the benches were only slightly charred. They were removed to a laboratory today for tests. Rabbi Goren attended morning services at the synagogue today without incident.
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