(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tzipi Hotovely, issued a statement concerning the fire that occurred this morning (Thursday, 18 June) in the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes at Tabgha, north of the Sea of Galilee:

"I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms. The State of Israel respects freedom of worship for all religions and opposes any attack on this freedom. I am confident that the police will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators and to prevent such occurrences in the future."