Spitting on face, assaults: Attacks on Christians surge in Israel

Jerusalem: Christians in Jerusalem are increasingly living under fear amid a sharp rise in physical assaults, harassment, and acts of religious hostility, according to reports highlighting what church members and rights advocates describe as a worsening climate of persecution in one of Christianity’s holiest cities.

A report by the Jerusalem Post documented growing concerns within the Christian community as priests, nuns, and worshippers face repeated abuse in public spaces. Christian clergy and nuns, whose religious identity is easily recognisable through their attire and crosses, have reportedly become frequent targets of extremist Jewish fundamentalists. Incidents of spitting, verbal abuse, and intimidation have become increasingly common on the streets of Jerusalem, creating an atmosphere of insecurity among believers.

One Arab nun told the newspaper that she had been subjected to repeated harassment, including being spat at and verbally abused in Hebrew by extremist Jews while moving around the city. Fearing repercussions, she requested anonymity. She described the attacks as racist in nature and said Christians were living under constant threat, adding that the situation had deteriorated significantly in recent years.

The report also referred to disturbing incidents captured on video, including the assault of another nun who was chased, pushed to the ground, and kicked. Israeli police had earlier released footage showing a Jewish man spitting near the entrance of a church in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. In a separate case, police arrested a 36-year-old Jewish suspect accused of attacking a nun in a settlement area of the occupied West Bank.

Despite the hostility, many Christians insist on openly displaying their faith rather than concealing religious symbols such as crosses. However, community leaders warn that mounting attacks are eroding the sense of safety once enjoyed by Christians in the city.

According to the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue, 155 anti-Christian incidents were recorded in 2025, including 61 physical assaults and 52 attacks targeting churches, compared with 111 incidents reported in 2024. Local residents say repeated desecration of Christian symbols and places of worship is deepening fears that persecution of Christians in Jerusalem is becoming increasingly normalised.