A man in his 30s believed to be an extremist Jewish individual is seen pushing and assaulting a French nun near Mount Zion, Wednesday, in footage released by Israeli police the following day. Captured from X
A French nun was violently assaulted in Jerusalem, in the latest incident highlighting growing concerns over anti-Christian hate crimes involving extremist religious elements in Israel.
According to The Times of Israel, April 30, Israeli police arrested a Jewish man in his 30s on suspicion of attacking the nun the previous day in Jerusalem. Police said in a statement, "The suspect is a 36-year-old man," adding, "We take very seriously all acts of violence against clergy carried out with racist motives."
Footagereleased by police shows the man running up from behind and pushing the nun to the ground. Wearing a traditional Jewish garment known as a tzitzit, the attacker appeared to walk away before turning back and repeatedly kicking her as she lay on the ground. He also reportedly scuffled with a passerby who tried to intervene.
According to AFP, the victim is a 48-year-old researcher affiliated with the École Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jérusalem. She sustained injuries to her face and other areas. Olivier Poquillon, head of the institute, said the nun does not wish to speak publicly about the incident.
Injuries are visible on the face of a nun who was assaulted in Jerusalem, Wednesday, by an extremist Jewish man, in footage released by Israeli police the following day. Captured from X
Jerusalem holds deep religious significance for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. The attack took place near the Cenacle, a site revered by Christians as the location of the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, by Jews as associated with King David’s tomb, and by Muslims as a historic Islamic site dating to the 16th century.
France strongly condemned the attack. The French Consulate General in Jerusalem said in a statement, "We strongly condemn this act," and urged that the perpetrator be brought to justice. A European diplomat was quoted as saying the incident occurred amid a broader pattern in which extremist individuals regularly insult and spit at clergy in religious attire.
In recent months, hostility toward Christians by extremist Jewish groups has become an increasingly serious social issue in Israel. Incidents have included the reported destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, as well as controversy ahead of Easter when police restricted access for senior Catholic clergy to churches.
Analysts say that while theological differences — including Judaism’s non-recognition of Jesus as the Messiah — play a role, rising ultranationalist sentiment within Israel has also contributed to the visible escalation of hostility toward other religions.
Source: Korea Times News
