The vandalism of the Latrun Monastery, which was discovered Tuesday morning, was widely condemned by Israel's leaders.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the act: 'This was a heinous act whose perpetrators must be punished. The freedom of religion and the freedom of worship are among Israel's most important foundations," he said.

Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch is overseeing the investigation and has briefed Netanyahu on its progress.