French Catholic nun assaulted in Jerusalem, video sparks outrage, Israeli police arrests the attacker

3 min read Updated: May 2, 2026 04:37 PM IST The incident took place in East Jerusalem. (Screengrab from video) Visuals of an attack on a French Catholic nun in Jerusalem have drawn widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the contested city. A video clip showed a man running up behind the nun as she walked down a street before pushing her over with force. The nun’s head was close to hitting her head on a block of stone. The attacker initially walked away but returned to kick the victim as she lay on the ground, and stopped when a passerby intervened. The BBC reported that the attacker was wearing a Jewish kippah and tzitzit. Israel’s foreign ministry denounced the attack as a “shameful act”. The Israeli police said they have arrested a 36-year-old man on grounds of racially-motivated assault. The police said it would “continue to act with a heavy hand and zero tolerance to preserve and maintain the proper and safe fabric of life for all ethnicities and religions in the city of Jerusalem,” The Guardian reported. French Catholic nun assaulted in Jerusalem, video sparks outrage, Israeli police arrests the attacker pic.twitter.com/t3hYqp6V8B — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) May 2, 2026 The nun, who was working as a researcher at the French Biblical and Archaeological School (EBAF), was left with a grazed face but was not seriously injured. “We strongly condemn this act of sectarian violence and expect the authorities to act swiftly and decisively,” said Father Olivier Poquillon, the director of EBAF. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said, “This is not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling pattern of rising hostility toward the Christian community and its symbols.” The incident took place on Mount Zion in East Jerusalem, near King David’s tomb, a site revered by Jewish people, and the Cenacle, widely regarded as the site of Jesus last supper with his disciples. In recent months, Israel has drawn flak over reports of attacks on Christians. In April, amid Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah, visuals of an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) desecrating a statue of Jesus in a village in Southern Lebanon sparked global outrage. Two officers linked to the incident were removed from combat duty and jailed for 30 days . Story continues below this ad Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident, while the military said that it went against its values. The Religious Freedom Data Centre (RFDC) noted 31 incidents of harassment of Christians in the first three months of this year, The Guardian reported. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: France Israel Jerusalem Nun