Israeli police arrest 5 suspects for spitting at Christians in Jerusalem

The Israeli police arrested five suspects who were seen spitting in the direction of Christian tourists in the Old City of Jerusalem, according to a police statement on Wednesday morning.

One of the suspects, along with multiple ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and children, could be seen on a video demonstratively spitting on the ground in the direction of the Christian group and the church behind them as they began to exit the complex.

שוטרי מחוז ירושלים עצרו חמישה חשודים ביריקה לעבר נוצרים/כניסה לכנסייה בעיר העתיקה בירושלים (בתיעוד: זיהוי ומעצר שניים מהחשודים הבוקר) pic.twitter.com/2b5yeAriCo

— משטרת ישראל (@IL_police) October 4, 2023

The incident, in addition to comments made by settler activist Elisha Yered, who called spitting at Christians an ‘ancient Jewish custom,’ was widely condemned by politicians and civil leaders.

The four other suspects were arrested on the spot for spitting at Christians on Wednesday morning.

The Jerusalem Police force has stepped up efforts to curb the phenomenon, according to local District Commander Doron Turjeman.