Unknown vandals desecrated dozens of graves in the new Jewish cemetery in Lod over the weekend. Metal parts serving for the placement of memorial candles were removed from the tombstones.
Lod police have launched an investigation into the incident, but have yet to detain suspects.
The incident occurred Thursday night and police sources estimate that metal thieves were behind the crime.
Marble tiles also sustained damage (Photo: Avi Moalem)
Candle holders used by cemeteries are usually made of copper and are attached to the tomb's rear.
Police sources estimated that metal thieves melt the copper in order to sell it later on.
Some of the tomb's marble tiles sustained damage as a result of the removal of the metal nests.
Members of Hevra Kadisha, Israel's burial society, who arrived at the site Friday morning called the police after noticing the tombs' desecration.
Forensic experts also arrived at the scene and collected fingerprints.