PA officials: Israel responsible for mosque arson

Palestinian officials on Tuesday slammed the torching of a West Bank mosque overnight, an attack Israel settlers are suspected of carrying out. Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud al-Habash toured the Jaba mosque, which was found torched and spray-painted with Hebrew slogans earlier in the day. An Israeli police spokesman said investigators were "looking into the possibility that it was a 'Price Tag' attack" -- referring to retribution settlers say they will exact for any attempt by the Israeli government to curb Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Al-Habash held Israel responsible for the attack, warning that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's support to settlers gives them a cover for such acts of aggression. Netanyahu has pledged to bring the arsonists to justice, calling them "intolerant and irresponsible lawbreakers." Al-Habash said President Mahmoud Abbas issued a directive for the mosque's reconstruction, which will be completed by next Friday. The minister assured residents that the Palestinian Authority would take all necessary measures to face such attacks, calling the burning of mosques an attack on the Islamic creed. Meanwhile, the PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement warning the attack of any place of worship, Muslim or Christian, is dangerous as it is considered a call for religious war. Israel wants to destroy the peace process, and such Israeli activities are making this happen, it said. The ministry called on the international community and United Nations to respond to the attack, and protect places of worship.