Man arrested in East Jerusalem for assaulting nun

1 hour ago The News Room

Israeli police have arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly assaulting a nun near the Old City in Jerusalem.

Video released by Israeli police shows a man wearing tzitzit — a fringed undergarment worn by some observant Jewish men — following the nun before he pushes her to the ground. He can then be seen walking away briefly before returning and beating her until bystanders intervene. He was charged “on suspicion of a racially motivated attack”, according to authorities.

In a statement posted to X, Israeli police said: “In a city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, we remain committed to protecting all communities and ensuring those responsible for violence are held accountable.”

The Old City in Israel-annexed East Jerusalem is the location of holy sites for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

There has been a documented rise in acts of violence and harassment against Christian communities in East Jerusalem and Israel in recent years, according to the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue.

Israeli treatment of religious minorities has come under recent scrutiny, weeks after Israel Police limited access for holiday worship to Muslims and Christians.

Israel has also received international criticism after an Israeli soldier photographed himself destroying a statue of Jesus on the cross in southern Lebanon. The incident was later condemned by Israeli leaders.