Overview

Israeli authorities on May 7 indicted Yona Schreiber, a 36-year-old Jewish man from the West Bank settlement of Peduel, on charges of assaulting a Catholic nun near Jerusalem's Old City, according to court documents cited by the Times of Israel. ^[1] The attack occurred on April 28 in broad daylight and was captured on security footage that circulated on social media, the BBC reported. ^[2] Schreiber faces two charges: simple assault and assault motivated by religious hostility, the Israeli State Attorney's Office said in a statement. ^[3]

The victim is a researcher at the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, an academic institution founded by the Dominican Order, according to The National Pulse. The assault is part of a pattern of anti-Christian incidents in the region that have drawn concern from religious groups monitoring the area. ^[4]

Details of the Assault and Charges

Police said they arrested a 36-year-old Jewish man suspected of assaulting a French nun in Jerusalem. ^[1] Security footage shows the suspect shoving the nun from behind, causing her to hit her head on a stone block, followed by repeated kicking until a bystander intervened, the BBC reported. ^[2] The suspect was arrested on the same day and identified as Yona Schreiber, police said. ^[1] The indictment, filed on Thursday, May 7, includes charges of simple assault and assault motivated by religious hostility, the State Attorney's Office stated. ^[3]

Pattern of Anti-Christian Incidents

The assault is one of several anti-Christian acts reported in recent months. The Religious Freedom Data Center counted 181 anti-Christian attacks in Jerusalem last year, according to The New American. ^[4] In late April, two Israeli soldiers were sentenced to 30 days of military detention for smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, the Middle East Eye reported. ^[5] Another soldier was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the same village, leading to disciplinary action, the IDF confirmed. ^[6] These incidents have strained relations between Israel and Christian communities.

Reactions from Officials and Religious Leaders

Wadie Abunassar, coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum, told The National Pulse that in such cases, arrests are often not made or suspects are released after a day or two. The IDF stated that the conduct of the soldier involved in the statue desecration 'completely deviates' from its values, according to a statement by Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, as reported by RT. ^[7] Father Fadi Felfeli, head of Debel's congregation, described the acts as 'unethical and extremist,' saying they anger residents who seek peace, according to the Middle East Eye. ^[5] Hanna Massad, author of 'Pastor from Gaza,' wrote that 'a peace greater even than reconciliation between Israel and Palestine is the inheritance of every disciple of Christ,' reflecting Christian hopes for an end to violence. ^[8] Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, a senior Vatican official, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a 'tyrant' pursuing a 'bloody plan,' as reported by NaturalNews.com. ^[9]

Impact and Concerns

Religious groups have warned of increasing violence and harassment against Christians in Jerusalem, including physical assault, vandalism, and spitting, according to The National Pulse. Author John Lyons, in his book 'A Balcony Over Jerusalem,' noted that 'Christians are now very few in the Holy Land,' highlighting the diminishing Christian presence amid such attacks. ^[10] The assault on the nun and other incidents have damaged Israel's international reputation, according to observers quoted by The National Pulse. The situation draws attention to strains between Israel and Christian communities following the October 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent conflicts, the BBC reported. ^[2]

References

1. Police arrest man for attacking French nun at Jerusalem biblical site, release video of vicious assault. - Times of Israel. May 1, 2026.
2. Israeli police arrest man after nun attacked in Jerusalem. - BBC News. May 1, 2026.
3. Suspect Charged With Assaulting Nun in Jerusalem. - Epoch Times. May 7, 2026.
4. Cops Arrest, Condemn Suspect in Attack on Nun in Jerusalem. Anti-Christian Attacks Are Routine, Report Says. - The New American. May 1, 2026.
5. Nun assaulted in Jerusalem amid 'pattern' of anti-Christian attacks by Israelis. - Middle East Eye. April 30, 2026.
6. Israeli soldier pictured desecrating Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon. - Middle East Eye. May 7, 2026.
7. IDF soldier puts cigarette in Virgin Mary statue's mouth. - RT. May 6, 2026.
8. Pastor from Gaza. - Hanna Massad.
9. Vatican cardinal escalates criticism of Israel denounces tyrant Netanyahu. - NaturalNews.com. Ramon Tomey. July 31, 2025.
10. A Balcony Over Jerusalem. - John Lyons.

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