2 Jewish suspects arrested over vandalism of Jerusalem church

Israeli police said Wednesday they arrested two Jewish youths suspected of spraying anti-Christian graffiti on a famous church in Jerusalem.

The graffiti in Hebrew was discovered on Sunday on the walls and doors of Dormition Abbey, the site believed to be where Marry, the mother of Jesus, died.

The vandals wrote, among other writings, "Christians go to hell" and "death to heathen Christians, enemies of Israel."

Police said a 16-year-old Israeli was arrested Tuesday, and a second suspect, identified as a 15-year-old Israeli, arrested Wednesday.

Ultra-nationalist Israelis have previously vandalized Palestinian property and religious sites - including mosques, churches, and cemeteries - as well as targeted Israeli left-wing groups, in what became known as "price tag" attacks.

These attacks typically intend to exact a price for damaging actions against the settlement enterprise.

They also denounce other religions apart from Judaism.

Dormition Abbey, a Benedictine monastery located across from East Jerusalem's Old City, is often targeted by vandals.

In February 2015, a fire was ignited in a building beside the church and in 2014, following the Pope's visit, the church's visitor book was set on fire.

Graffiti were used to spray paint racial slurs on the abbey walls in 2012 and 2013. Endit