Jerusalem church leaders report rising attacks on Christians and Christian institutions

Christian communities in occupied Jerusalem report a pattern of escalating hostility that extends beyond isolated incidents to repeated forms of harassment and physical aggression. According to the source, these acts have included spitting, verbal abuse, and street harassment in the old town, as well as beatings, stone-throwing at churches and monasteries, and the destruction of property and cemeteries.

The pressure is particularly acute in the old town and the Armenian neighborhood, where clergy and nuns have reportedly faced repeated harassment for wearing religious clothing and crosses. Attacks have also targeted sites and properties belonging to Christian communities, prompting church and legal actors to warn that without effective deterrence, these acts may become routine behavior that pressures Christian presence in the city.

In August, the monastery of St. Jacob in the Armenian neighborhood was attacked by Israeli settlers. Video recordings showed some of the attackers spitting at the entrance of the monastery and throwing stones at its buildings. The Jerusalem governorate stated that the group involved was Israeli settlers, noting that this was part of a series of repeated attacks against churches, monasteries, and Christian clergy in the old town.

The source indicates that the attack on St. Jacob was not an isolated event but was preceded by numerous incidents of spitting, insults, and harassment of Christian clergy in the streets of Jerusalem. Reports cited in the source attribute many of these incidents to Jewish youths from extremist national religious circles, as well as other incidents attributed to Israeli settlers.

Data from the Ruseng Centre for Education and Dialogue indicates a marked increase in the frequency of attacks. The Centre documented more than 155 incidents targeting Christians and Christian institutions during 2025, including 61 physical assaults and 52 attacks on property and churches, compared with 111 incidents recorded in 2024.

A report published in August 2026 by the Wall Street Journal highlighted the increase in attacks, noting that incidents previously described as sporadic had become more frequent. According to the newspaper, during an Israeli march in May, some 12 incidents of spitting were observed near the Armenian Church within a day, based on recordings and testimonies.

The persistence of these acts raises questions about the protection of religious minorities and the rule of law in a city where diverse communities share sacred spaces. The call for accountability and deterrence aligns with the biblical imperative to pursue peace with neighbors and to uphold justice for the vulnerable, as reflected in the principles of Romans 12:18 and Psalm 122:6.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)