A mosque was set on fire and graffitied with threatening messages early Monday in the village of Tell, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, in an apparent settler attack.

Footage published by Palestinian media showed the charred entrance to the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq mosque, and the Hebrew phrases “revenge” and “price tag” spray-painted in black on the outer wall. Settler extremists often refer to violence against Palestinians as a “price tag” for Palestinian attacks and the dismantling of settler outposts by Israeli forces.

Palestinian news outlet Ma’an said the fire was set at the entrance to the mosque and damaged its gate and exterior before locals put out the flames.

The Kan public broadcaster said military and police forces would investigate the incident.

In a statement, the Palestinian Authority’s Religious Endowments Ministry said “the attempt to burn down the mosque clearly shows the barbarity that the racist Israeli incitement machine has stooped to against Muslim and Christian sanctuaries in Palestine.”

According to the ministry, settlers attacked 45 mosques in the West Bank last year. The figure could not be immediately verified.

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