Suspected ´price tag´ act in village of Jaba: ´War has begun´ and ´Pay the price´ spray-painted on mosque two weeks before scheduled evacuation of Beit El´s Ulpana neighborhood. Netanyahu, Barak condemn ´irresponsible´ act

Suspected ´price tag´: Unknown assailants torched and spray-painted Hebrew slogans on a mosque in the village of Jaba, southeast of Ramallah. Damage was caused to the building.

The slogans read, "Ulpana war" "The war has started" and "Pay the price." IDF and police forces are canvassing the area. It is suspected the vandalism was a "price tag" act.

Military sources said in response, "Apart from the moral failing, this type of event presents real danger to the security enjoyed by the settlers."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act, saying "It is an act of intolerant and irresponsible hooligans and we will act swiftly to bring them to justice."

Defense Minister Ehud Barak also commented on the incident, saying "it is a deplorable act, which is aimed at harming the fabric of life in the area and distract the IDF and security forces from their mission. I have instructed the IDF to use all measures to apprehend the assailants."

Yesha Council head Danny Dayan also condemned the act and did not rule out the possibility that settlers were involved in the event.

Suspicions for "price tag" acts were raised several times over the past few weeks following the impending evacuation of Beit El´s Ulpana neighborhood.

Last week, the tires of four cars belonging to east Jerusalem residents parked near Shufat were punctured. The word "Ulpana" was found painted over one of the cars.

Several days earlier, the tires of 14 vehicles were punctured in the integrated community of Neve Shalom. The words "Death to Arabs" "Revenge" and "Regards from the Ulpana" were spray-painted on three cars.

The slogan "Regards from Havat Gilad, revenge" was also found on the wall of an elementary school. Elior Levy contributed to this report (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 06/19/12)