Man who attacked nun on CCTV in Jerusalem acquitted on grounds of mental health
A Jerusalem court said the Jewish attacker was having a psychotic episode when he assaulted the nun, in an incident which caused outrage.
An Israeli court has acquitted a Jewish man accused of attacking a nun in Jerusalem, following a CCTV footage that sparked widespread condemnation. The incident occurred in April in the Old City. Yona Schreiber, 36, was reportedly in a psychotic state when he pushed and kicked the French nun, causing her to hit her head and sustain injuries.
The Jerusalem Magistrates Court ruled that Schreiber was not criminally responsible for his actions and ordered him to be committed to a psychiatric hospital for up to six years. The French Consulate in Jerusalem strongly condemned the attack, calling it an act of sectarian violence. The French Biblical and Archaeological School director also described the assault as sectarian violence.
Israel's foreign ministry denounced the incident, stating it contradicted the values of respect, coexistence, and religious freedom upon which the country is founded. While the attack was unusual, there have been regular cases in recent years of religious Jews harassing Christian clergy and pilgrims in the Old City, with Church properties vandalized and disputes arising over settler takeovers.
Church leaders accuse Israel of attempting to alter the status quo at their holy sites. A 2025 report by the Rossing Center highlights a surge in animosity towards Christianity in Jerusalem, attributing it to deepening polarization and ultra-nationalist political trends.
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