American Tourist Arrested for Vandalizing Ancient Roman Statues in Israeli Museum

An American tourist was arrested at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for defacing two second-century Roman statues, raising concerns about the safety of Israel's priceless collections and a rise in attacks on cultural heritage. The tourist's lawyer claimed he suffered from the Jerusalem syndrome, a mental disorder induced by the religious magnetism of the city, causing foreign pilgrims to believe they are figures from the Bible. The vandalism is the latest in a series of attacks by Jews against historical objects in Jerusalem, sparking condemnation from officials and cultural authorities.