Statues have been broken, and icons of Jesus on the cross vandalised inside a Maronite prayer hall in Nahariya, northern Israel.
Worshippers discovered the scene ahead of a gathering on Sunday evening, with an apology note written in English left on the altar.
It said: “I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me to make me do that. Please forgive me.”
The hall is on municipal land, mainly serving Lebanese Maronite families in the area.
The Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa said the vandals had entered the hall and “damaged and destroyed its contents, and violated its sacred character”.
A statement read: “Places of worship, regardless of their denomination or religion, must be preserved and protected against violence, vandalism and desecration. Such acts can neither be justified nor tolerated.
It called for authorities to “assume their responsibilities and act immediately and decisively to investigate this attack”, as well as urging protections against places of worship.
Christians in Nahariya have “no intention of being deterred from exercising our inalienable right to prayer and worship”, the statement added, stating that prayer would continue there “with faith, determination and serenity”.
“Forgiveness does not mean remaining silent in the face of aggression, and love does not mean relinquishing our rights. Seeking justice is a duty from which we cannot shirk,” the Archeparchy added.
A statement from Israeli police said an investigation had been opened immediately and that it “views seriously any violation of holy places and freedom of worship, and will act decisively, exhausting all means at its disposal to locate those responsible for the act and bring them to justice”.
George Deek, Israel’s ambassador to the Christian world, has offered the community his solidarity and any assistance needed.
He said on X: “The vandalism of the Christian place of prayer in Nahariya is disgraceful. All the more painful because it belongs to a community of Lebanese Christians who stood alongside Israel and found a home here.”
“Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice. There can be no tolerance for attacks on places of worship, anywhere or against anyone. Any attack on a place of worship, of any faith, is an attack on the freedom and dignity we must protect,” Deek added.