Western Wall defaced with ‘Gaza Holocaust’ graffiti

Police are yet to confirm whether any such investigation will be opened but National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X: “The Israel Police will act with lightning speed to apprehend the offender and bring him to justice.”

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation said that a professional cleaning team has been contracted to remove the graffiti in accordance with its guidelines for the holy site.

The graffiti has also drawn severe condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Benny Gantz, chair of the Blue and White-National Unity faction, called it “a crime against the entire people of Israel.”

Likewise, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “These ancient stones are soaked in the long history of our people, a history of building, destruction, blood, persecution, and Holocaust, and again building and revival.

"Those who are capable of defiling them with sickening antisemitic blood libels have forgotten what it means to be Jewish.”

It comes amid growing domestic unrest regarding the newly-expanded operation in Gaza, including the planned occupation of Gaza City.

Left-wing groups have condemned the move, with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid calling it a “horror show from a failed prime minister”, while hostage families have claimed it will endanger their loved ones.

Conversely, though, some on the right – including Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party – argue it does not go far enough to achieve “total victory” over Hamas, with Smotrich himself saying he has “lost faith” in Netanyahu.

MKs from Religious Zionism and Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit have threatened to withdraw support for the coalition and force fresh elections if military operations do not escalate further.