Israeli police arrested an American tourist Thursday for allegedly smashing two ancient Roman sculptures in a Jerusalem museum.
The Jerusalem Post reported the American, in his 40s, allegedly destroyed the two artifacts, estimated to be from the second century, for being "blasphemous" and "in violation of the Torah" at the Israel Museum in the city.
The report said surveillance showed the suspect wandering around the museum with a stick that police believe was used to damage the artifacts. The holiday leads to increased tourist travel to Israel and Jerusalem by people primarily from North America, The Times said in the report. The report said that the history between the Jews and the Roman Empire was particularly fraught during the Romans' siege to the city and destruction of the second temple in 70 C.E.
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