Israeli Court Acquits Jewish Settler in Assault on Catholic Nun in East Jerusalem

An Israeli court has acquitted Yona Schreiber, a Jewish settler from the occupied West Bank settlement of Peduel, of assaulting a French Catholic nun in occupied East Jerusalem. The incident occurred on 28 April 2026 near the Cenacle on Mount Zion, a site of significance to both Christians and Jews. The nun, a researcher at Jerusalem’s French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, was pushed to the ground and kicked in the head, requiring medical attention. The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruled Schreiber not guilty, citing “mental illness” as the defense.

Schreiber’s lawyer, Idan Gamliel, referred to the attack as an “unfortunate incident” and noted the defense acknowledged the nun’s “difficult feelings” over the assault. The court’s decision has sparked concern among local Christian communities, who view the acquittal as a troubling development in the context of rising tensions and violence against religious figures in the region.

The attack has been described as part of a broader pattern of hostility toward Christians in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. In May, the French organisation L’Oeuvre d’Orient reported the demolition of a convent belonging to the Salvatorian Sisters, a Greek Catholic religious order, in the village of Yaroun. Such incidents reflect a growing sense of vulnerability among Christian communities in the Holy Land.

Recent reports highlight a surge in attacks on Christians, with the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue documenting 155 incidents in 2025. These included 61 physical assaults, 52 attacks on church property, 28 cases of harassment, and 14 instances of vandalised signage. The report suggests these figures represent only the “tip of the iceberg,” underscoring the severity of the situation.

The incident involving the nun has drawn international condemnation, with many calling for greater protection of religious minorities in the region. Christian leaders have expressed concern over the increasing hostility and the need for accountability. The situation raises urgent questions about the safety of religious communities and the role of local authorities in safeguarding their rights.

The Holy Land remains a place of deep spiritual significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. As tensions continue to escalate, the need for peace, justice, and mutual respect becomes ever more critical. The biblical call to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) remains a relevant reminder of the values that should guide all interactions in this sacred space.

Source: Read the original report