Fresno police are investigating an incident of flyers posted on the exterior windows of Temple Beth Israel, and also at St. Anthony of Padua church.

The flyers appear to be religious in nature, referring to several biblical passages. One flyer is titled “John Marks letter to the apostate church in Babylon.”

The flyers contain small type, with a website to a religious group QR codes.

Another posting on the window has what appears to be a hand-written message.

Police say they have suspects in custody. A van with “Repent or Perish” painted on the side was found at the church.

GV Wire initially reported that the van belonged to the church. It may actually belong to the suspects.

Lt. Marcus Gray II said the two incidents are related. Police responded around 4:15 p.m., for a report of two men “engaged in a verbal disturbance with somebody,” at the temple.

Police arrested the men a short time later at the church.

“We’re looking at all the laws that may have been violated,” Gray said.

Police have not yet released the identifies of the suspects.

Rabbi: Flyers ‘Unwelcome’

Rabbi Rick Winer called the messages “unwelcome.”

“It’s certainly upsetting,” Winer said. He said there does not appear to be any other damage.

Police on the scene are not ready to call the incident a hate crime.

“It’s still unnerving and unsettling, and so I’m not thrilled. I wish we were not doing this,” Winer said.

Incident During Heightened Tensions

The incident comes during heightened tensions with the Jewish community because of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. College campuses such as UCLA and Columbia erupted into pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel violence.

However, a pro-Palestinian sit-in at Fresno State went peacefully.

“We’re already on edge, not only because of the recent months, news both nationally and … college campuses and what’s going in Israel and Gaza. But you know what’s happened here on campus yesterday, which thankfully was peaceful and we’re very grateful,” Winer said.

“This is our home. This is not a public park. And to have people who do not belong here …  feeling the need to say something that they think we need to hear and posting it on the walls is a violation,” Winer said.

The temple experienced vandalism last October, days after the Hamas attacks.

Last Saturday, a man was arrested for assault, robbery and hate crime for an attack on three women at a pro-Palestine both at the Porchfest music event in the Tower District.

Leaders React

Elected leaders were quick to condemn the incidents.

“(I) am concerned for families at both the Temple and St. Anthony’s. This is unacceptable in our community,” wrote Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau on Facebook.

“Vandalism and harassment of any kind will never be accepted or tolerated. The Fresno police are apparently investigating this. Any perpetrators will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld.