A suspect was arrested by Jackson, Mississippi, authorities after a fire broke out at the state's largest synagogue, damaging parts of the Jewish worship space and several sacred items.
The fire occurred around 3 a.m. Saturday morning, Jan. 10, at theBeth Israelsynagogue.The Jackson Fire Departmentresponded and was able to contain and extinguish the blaze.
The suspect was detained by the department's arson division, but their identity has not been released. JFD could not be reached for further details Sunday morning, Jan. 11.
It was not immediately clear whether the fire has formally been classified as arson or a hate crime. But Mississippi officials condemned the blaze as a targeted attack on religious freedom and the safety of residents in Jackson.
"Acts of antisemitism, racism and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as threats to our residents' safety and freedom to worship," Jackson Mayor John Horhn said in a statement.
"Targeting people because of their faith, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation is morally wrong, un-American and incompatible with the values of this city," he added.
Mississippi Sen. Roger Wickersaid in a post on Xthat "Our hearts are with the members of Beth Israel Congregation," adding "We denounce violence and find attacks on places of worship especially despicable."
No one was injured in the fire. An administrative office and library were charred by the flames,according tomultiple reports, and several Torahs, Jewish holy texts rolled into large scrolls, were ruined or damaged.
"Jackson stands with Beth Israel and the Jewish community, and we'll do everything we can to support them and hold accountable anyone who tries to spread fear and hate here," Horhn said. The city is located in western Mississippi and has a population of approximately 142,000.
Along with JFD's Arson Investigation Division, the Jackson Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Beth Israel is Jackson's oldest synagogue, dating to before the U.S. Civil War. Nearly 60 years ago, the Ku Klux Klan bombed both the temple's office and former Rabbi Perry Nussbaum's home in November of 1967. No one was killed during that incident.
Charlie Drapeis the Jackson beat reporter. Contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger:Suspect arrested after fire spreads at Mississippi's largest synagogue
