Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday strongly condemned the desecration of the tombstone of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit's father, Baruch, saying the incident was "horrifying."
According to a Hadashot evening news report, Mendelblit discovered the grave was vandalized last week, while attending his mother's memorial, and reported it to the police.
According to the report, Mendelblit told the police that he could not think why someone would target his father's grave.
The police said the tombstone was damaged with a hammer or some other heavy tool and as no other graves in its vicinity were vandalized, it suggested Mendelblit's father's grave was not chosen at random.
The incident followed a political firestorm sparked over insinuations by Likud members who said that, if the attorney general, who is currently reviewing police recommendations to file corruption charges against the prime minister in three investigations, decides to file criminal charges against Netanyahu during the election campaign, he would find himself the target of merciless attacks by senior party officials.
The opposition was quick to point a finger at Likud, saying that party members' incitement against Mendelblit was the cause of the vandalism.
Netanyahu dismissed the allegations and called on Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan to investigate the matter without delay.
"This was a horrifying act that must be utterly denounced," Netanyahu said.
Commenting on the opposition's accusations, he added, "There are some who try to put words in my mouth and attribute to me things that I never said.
"I learned of the horrifying desecration of the AG's father's grave, who I knew and respected, only today [Thursday] and I immediately called for a police investigation, which as it turns out has already been launched. I must say, though, that the timing in which these false accusations have been made raises very interesting questions."
A senior Likud official also dismissed the opposition's allegations, saying, "No one in Likud is threatening the attorney general. The only threats to indict Netanyahu at all cost come from the Left and the media."
The incident earned condemnation from across the political spectrum.
"The desecration of the grave of the attorney general's father is a foolish and disgusting act," President Reuven Rivlin tweeted.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi) said this was "a disgusting act that contradicts basic moral values. I regret that there are those who do not loathe such despicable measures to achieve their goals. There's no doubt that a red line was crossed here, and I expect the police to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible."
Erdan called the vandalism "a despicable act by despicable people," adding, "I instructed the police to do everything within their power to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice. I expect the political leadership to unite in condemning this act, which crosses a red line, and not try to use it for political purposes."
Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Habayit Hayehudi) issued a statement saying, "The desecration of the tombstone of the attorney general's father is a vile act that crosses red lines. Israeli discourse should never turn violent. Avichai Mendelblit is an honest, professional and dedicated public servant. I'm sure the police will do everything to bring the culprits to justice."
Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid tweeted, "Another red line was crossed with the desecration of the tombstone of the attorney general's father. This was a disgraceful, horrid act. In the interest of protecting democracy, the prime minister and public security minister must spare no effort to bring these criminals to justice."
Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union) also condemns the incident, tweeting, "The vandalism of the attorney general's father's grave is shocking. There is a need for leadership that unconditionally defends law enforcement agencies in Israel and restores the public's faith in them."
