Church leaders say the attack reflects rising tension around holy sites in the city.
JERUSALEM — A video-recorded assault on a French nun near Jerusalem’s Old City has renewed warnings from Christian leaders about harassment and violence around the city’s holy sites.
Israeli police said they arrested a 36-year-old man suspected of attacking the nun near David’s Tomb, outside Zion’s Gate. The case is being investigated as a suspected racially motivated assault. Video from the scene showed the woman being pushed to the ground and kicked before others stepped in.
The nun works as a researcher at the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, a Dominican-run institute in Jerusalem. Olivier Poquillon, the school’s director, said the attack was sectarian violence. The French Consulate in Jerusalem said France condemned the assault and was monitoring the nun’s condition.
The attack happened in a crowded religious area on Mount Zion, near the Cenacle, which Christians traditionally revere as the site of the Last Supper. The location also draws Jewish worshippers because of David’s Tomb. That overlap has made the area a frequent point of tension among religious groups.
Church leaders have warned for years about spitting, verbal abuse, vandalism and assaults targeting Christian clergy and pilgrims in Jerusalem. Archbishop Atallah Hanna of the Greek Orthodox Church said the attack came amid escalating violations against Christian institutions and raised concern about the future of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Israeli police said they are committed to protecting all communities in Jerusalem and holding those responsible for violence accountable. Police did not identify the suspect or announce charges by Friday. Authorities said the suspect remained in custody while investigators reviewed the case.
The assault also came after recent disputes over access to worship in Jerusalem during religious holidays. Christian and Muslim leaders have criticized restrictions and security measures around holy sites, while Israeli authorities have said they are needed to preserve public order.
The case now moves toward a possible charging decision. For church leaders, the larger question is whether one arrest will lead to stronger action against repeated attacks on clergy.
Author note: Last updated May 1, 2026.