Santa wanted over death of Israeli Christian leader

A lay leader of Israel's Christian minority was stabbed to death during an Orthodox Christmas procession by a person dressed as Santa Claus, his church said.

Six Israeli Arabs have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in Friday's murder of Gabi Kadees in Jaffa, a predominantly Arab port district of Tel Aviv.

Mr Kadees was stabbed in the back during a parade marking Jesus's birth according to the Eastern church calender, Israeli media said.

Last month, Mr Kadees won a third term as the lay leader of the Greek Orthodox community in the town in an election Israeli media says triggered deep tensions with some of his rivals.

The assailant, who slipped away in the crowd, wore a Santa Claus costume, senior Greek Orthodox cleric Atallah Hanna said.

"He also killed our Christmas joy, and also killed the human and spiritual values embodied by Santa Claus, who makes children happy on Christmas Eve," Mr Hanna told Reuters.

"Six suspects have been been arrested and will be brought before a magistrate this evening for a remand hearing," Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said on Saturday.

I must admit that one of the reasons I posted this article was just for the headline. Very attention grabbing.

Since this article was written, the suspects have appeared in court. They were identified as Christian Arabs from the local community, who had been involved in a long-running rivalry with the deceased.

Thanks BlackVeil.

A lay leader of Israel's Christian minority was stabbed to death during an Orthodox Christmas procession by a person dressed as Santa Claus... Six Israeli Arabs have been arrested on suspicion... Last month, Mr Kadees won a third term as the lay leader of the Greek Orthodox community... The assailant, who slipped away in the crowd, wore a Santa Claus costume... "He also killed our Christmas joy, and also killed the human and spiritual values embodied by Santa Claus, who makes children happy on Christmas Eve," Mr Hanna told Reuters.

Not much of a getaway, how many Santas were on the street at the time?

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