A Jewish bookstore selling religious books and other materials was set on fire Saturday shortly after midnight. No one was hurt and there were only minor damages in the arson, apparently a reprisal for the arson in three Christian institutions in West Jerusalem. The bookstore is located in the Moslem quarter in the Old City, a five minute walk to the Western Wall.
According to Jerusalem police the arsonist broke the store’s window through a decorated iron gate in front of the store, and after spilling kerosine through the door, threw a match into-he store. The place was set afire, but a passer by who noticed the blaze quickly alerted firemen. The damage was relatively small, except for soot and ashes which covered the walls, floors and ceiling. Police arrested two suspects whose identity and nationality was not revealed. This is the first time that there has been an attempt to damage a Jewish store in the Old City selling religious articles.
Mayor Teddy Kollek denounced the arson. “I hope that once the police find out who are the arsonists in this last case,” he said, “we will be spared of burning of religious books in Jerusalem.” Pastor Robert Lindsay, head of the Baptist Center in West Jerusalem which was one of the places set on fire-last week, also expressed his regret at this last case of arson. The city and the Religious Ministry already promised the owner of the Jewish bookstore to cover the expenses caused by the damage.
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