Israeli Settler Assaults Nun as Church Leaders Warn of Rising Threats to Christians

May, 1, 2026

A 36-year-old Israeli settler was arrested and accused of assaulting a French-born nun in Jerusalem earlier this week. According to Vatican News, the attack took place near King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion on Tuesday.

Video footage released by police showed the settler chasing the 48-year-old nun, pushing her violently to the ground, and kicking her while she lay injured before bystanders intervened.

The nun, who works as a researcher at the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, reportedly sustained facial injuries during the assault.

Warnings over Rising Hostility

The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Atallah Hanna, has condemned the attack and warned of growing threats facing Christians in Jerusalem and the wider Holy Land.

In a statement shared online, Hanna said the assault came amid “escalating violations against Christian institutions” in the city and reflected mounting concerns about the future of the historic Christian presence in the region.

He warned that such incidents are no longer isolated events but part of a recurring pattern targeting Christian communities and symbols.

For his part, father Olivier Poquillon described hatred and violence as a shared challenge and thanked those who intervened during the attack, along with diplomats and academics who expressed solidarity afterward.

Broader Pattern of Attacks

The assault comes amid increasing reports of attacks and harassment targeting Christian communities in Jerusalem and elsewhere.

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Church leaders in Jerusalem have repeatedly urged Israeli authorities to take stronger action against anti-Christian incidents.

Last month, outrage followed the circulation of images showing an Israeli soldier vandalizing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon. Israeli authorities later announced disciplinary measures against those involved.

Organizations monitoring religious tensions in Jerusalem have warned that attacks against Christian clergy, churches, and religious symbols have increased in recent years.

The latest assault has renewed concerns among church leaders over the safety and future of Christian communities in the Holy Land.

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