The head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem has expressed grave concern following a brutal attack on a nun earlier this week, warning of increasing threats to the future of Christians in the Holy Land.
Archbishop Atallah Hanna stated on Facebook that “the attack on a nun in the city of Jerusalem comes amid escalating violations against Christian institutions in the city.” He emphasized that “this reflects increasing concerns about the future of the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land.”
In a post accompanied by a video, Archbishop Hanna cautioned that such incidents “are no longer isolated, but part of a recurring pattern that threatens the Christian presence,” urging international intervention to halt these acts.
On Thursday, Israeli police released footage showing what witnesses described as a Jewish man assaulting a French nun in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The video depicted the assailant following the nun, forcibly pushing her to the ground, causing a head injury, then briefly walking away before returning to kick her as she lay, until bystanders intervened.
According to The Times of Israel, police confirmed the arrest of a 36-year-old Jewish man suspected of the assault. A police statement on Wednesday affirmed that any violent act “driven by potentially racist motives and directed toward members of the clergy” is viewed with “utmost severity.”
Father Olivier Poquillon, director of Jerusalem’s French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, informed AFP that the 48-year-old nun, a researcher at the institution, preferred not to speak publicly.
Reports from the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue, which monitors such incidents, indicate a rise in attacks on Christian communities in occupied East Jerusalem and Israel in recent years. Churches in Jerusalem have repeatedly appealed to Israeli authorities for decisive action to stop these assaults.
On Tuesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as a “shameful act” on X, stating, “In a city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, we remain committed to protecting all communities and ensuring those responsible for violence are held accountable.”
Last month, widespread outrage was sparked by a viral photograph showing an Israeli soldier destroying a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon with a sledgehammer. The military announced an investigation, promising “appropriate measures” against those involved. Israel later confirmed the soldier was jailed for 30 days, along with another soldier who filmed the act, and six other soldiers were summoned for questioning.
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