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State Prosecutor Approves Probe Into Teen Filmed Extinguishing Tel Aviv Mall Menorah

Police questioned the 17-year-old on suspicion of desecrating a sacred object with intent to insult a religion, an offense punishable by up to three years in prison.

Overview

  • Haaretz reports the State Prosecutor's Office approved the investigation on Monday following the viral incident.
  • The video, shared on Instagram, shows a teenage girl blowing out candles on a public Hanukkah menorah at Tel Aviv's Weizmann City mall near Ichilov Hospital.
  • Police previously summoned the 17-year-old and a 19-year-old family member for questioning and released both under restrictive conditions.
  • Authorities say the inquiry remains active as they examine motive and whether the act constitutes an offense against religious sensitivities.
  • Sources close to the girl told Haaretz she believed the candles had been left burning when she extinguished them.