Ancient Jerusalem Tombs Damaged In Suspected Arson Attack

The southern aerial view of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, near where two ancient tombs dating from the Second Temple period have been damaged by a suspected arson attack. (Wikipedia)

Two ancient tombs were severely damaged by fires outside Jerusalem's Old City in suspected arson attacks on Friday.

Investigators in Israel do not know who set fire to Absalom's Tomb in the Kidron Valley, opposite the Temple Mount, and the adjacent Tomb of Jehoshephat.

The tombs, which date to the Second Temple period, are among a cluster of ancient graves at the base of the Mount of Olives.

Absalom's Tomb is traditionally identified as a monument to the biblical figure of the same name, though archaeologists have dated the edifice to the 1st century BC.

According to the Times of Israel, the fires broke out around 4:15 pm on Friday and caused extensive damage to the 2,000-year-old structures.

Assaf Avraham, the Israel Park's Authority administrator in charge of the national park surrounding the Old City's walls, said in a statement that the blazes "caused damage to values of [historic] heritage and archaeological gems of great value."

He added: "We will act to the extent of our abilities with law enforcement, including the police, to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

A police spokesman declined to comment on the case.

The Times of Israel reported that three other suspected arson attacks targeting municipal sewage trucks also took place in East Jerusalem on Friday night, but that there was no indication there was any correlation between the fires and the suspected attack on the ancient tombs.

News
Scots urged to reject ‘extreme’ assisted suicide legislation
Scots urged to reject ‘extreme’ assisted suicide legislation

Scottish voters are being urged to contact their MSPs ahead of a Stage One vote in Holyrood next week. 

Jeremy Clarkson warns Christianity is 'in danger' amid falling birth rates
Jeremy Clarkson warns Christianity is 'in danger' amid falling birth rates

Broadcaster and columnist Jeremy Clarkson has issued a stark warning about the future of Christianity, suggesting that a sharp decline in birth rates across the Western world could pose an existential threat to the faith’s long-term survival.

Trump denies any involvement in AI pope image amid Catholic backlash
Trump denies any involvement in AI pope image amid Catholic backlash

The controversy erupted just days before a historic Vatican conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis.

More churches embrace AI in ministry but pastors prefer to write their own sermons - study
More churches embrace AI in ministry but pastors prefer to write their own sermons - study

More churches across the U.S. are embracing the use of Artificial Intelligence in their ministries, but pastors have stopped short of using the technology to prepare their sermons, data from the State of the Church Tech 2025 report shows.