Jewish extremists are the main suspects. Disparaging phrases about Jesus were found on the building's walls, some identical to graffiti found on a mosque set on fire a few days ago. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin expresses his sadness at the incident, whilst Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat called it "deplorable".

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Israeli police is investigating Jewish extremists to find the culprits of an arson attack against a Greek Orthodox seminary in Jerusalem.

According to police and fire department sources, arsonists poured flammable liquid into a bathroom through a window, lit it, and fled. No one was injured.

The Greek Orthodox seminary for the study of Christianity is next to Jaffa Gate, near Dormition Abbey.

Messages disparaging Jesus were found on the seminary's walls, including the phrase "the Redemption of Zion," which was also scrawled on the walls of a Palestinian mosque in Jab'a near Bethlehem in the West Bank torched overnight on Wednesday

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin expressed his sadness at the attack. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat condemned the attack as "deplorable".

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem responded by reiterating that "Our mission is to act to bring an end to such acts, in all areas of the Land of Israel."

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat described the perpetrators of both incidents as "terrorists", blaming Israel's government for inciting the attacks by continuing its "illegal occupation and colonisation based on distorted religious claims."

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