Unraveling Ancient History: American Arrested in Israel After Controversial Act of Smashing Roman Statues in Museum
An American man has been apprehended in Israel for intentionally vandalizing priceless Roman statues at the renowned Israel Museum in Jerusalem, as confirmed by Israeli authorities
Israeli police have confirmed the arrest of an American man in Israel for the suspected intentional defacement of valuable sculptures at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The 40-year-old individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, was apprehended following a call from security personnel at the renowned cultural institution.
The suspect remains in custody, following a court appearance on Friday.
Courtesy Israel Police Spokesperson's Unit
According to the Jerusalem Post, two ancient Roman sculptures dating to the 2nd century CE were damaged.
Israeli police stated that they received a report on Thursday afternoon from security personnel at the Israel Museum regarding a visitor who deliberately destroyed valuable sculptures on display, resulting in significant damage. The suspect, identified as an American citizen, was subsequently taken in for questioning at the Moriah station in Jerusalem.
Video footage captures a tourist entering Rome's Trevi Fountain in order to quench his thirst by filling up his water bottle. The police statement further elaborates that upon conducting their preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspect engaged in this act due to his belief that these sculptures were idolatrous and in direct opposition to the teachings of the Torah.
The man's attorney refuted any involvement based on fundamentalist religious beliefs, claiming instead that he was afflicted with a mental illness.
On Friday, the suspect made an appearance in court, where magistrates decided to prolong his detention until Monday, allowing for further investigation by the police.
The lawyer for the man, Nick Kaufman, asked for his client's name to remain undisclosed. However, the magistrate denied this request and decided to delay the decision on revealing his identity until Sunday morning.
In an email to CNN, Kaufman stated, "The suspect's actions were not driven by iconoclastic fanaticism. Based on his behavior leading up to the incident and his overall demeanor, it is apparent that he is afflicted with a well-known condition called the Jerusalem Syndrome."
Climate activists dumped charcoal into Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. The individual responsible for the act voluntarily agreed to undergo psychiatric evaluation and is anticipated to be released from pre-trial detention on Monday, as authorized by the police.
During the festival of Sukkot, a rare occurrence called Jerusalem syndrome happens when tourists become deeply affected by the rich history and influence of the city. As a result, they disconnect from reality and develop a belief that they are biblical characters. This incident has now taken place just days after Israeli authorities detained five individuals based on suspicions of spitting in the vicinity of Christians or churches in Jerusalem's Old City.
