Police arrest man who assaulted nun in Jerusalem; attack condemned by Foreign Ministry, Hebrew University officials

Israel Police on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of assaulting a nun in Jerusalem earlier this week. 

The 36-year-old Jerusalem resident was arrested shortly after the incident on suspicion of carrying out a religiously motivated attack, with police emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward violence against religious figures.

On Wednesday evening, the police released video of the arrest, stating, “In a city sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, we remain committed to protecting all communities and ensuring those responsible for violence are held accountable.” 

Following a report of an assault against a nun in Jerusalem, officers responded immediately, launching an investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect. A request to extend his detention is expected.

The Israel Police treats any attack on members of the clergy and religious… pic.twitter.com/1e0W8bobpo

— Israel Police (@israelpolice) April 29, 2026

On Thursday, the police released security camera video of the attack, in which the man can be seen running up behind the 48-year-old nun and shoving her violently to the ground. As she falls, she hits her head on a raised section of a drainage system. The man initially walks away before returning to kick her. Eventually, he is pushed away by a passerby and leaves the scene. 

תקיפת הנזירה אתמול באזור קבר דוד בירושלים - שוטרי מרחב דוד איתרו את החשוד (36) ועצרו אותו בחשד לתקיפה ממניע גזעני >>> pic.twitter.com/agRpznR84X

— משטרת ישראל (@IL_police) April 30, 2026

The nun suffered a head injury with bleeding that required medical treatment. The victim, who did not wish to be identified, is a student at the Ecole Biblique, the French school of Bible and Archaeology located in East Jerusalem, near the Garden Tomb. The school is situated within the Dominican-run Saint-Étienne (Saint Stephen) priory, built around the Saint Stephen Basilica, built on the site of a previous basilica that was believed to house the remains of Stephen from the Book of Acts. 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which has collaborated with the Ecole Biblique on archaeological research, released a statement Thursday morning condemning the assault. 

“This is not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling pattern of rising hostility toward the Christian community and its symbols,” the university said. “As scholars of history and culture, we view this violence as a direct assault on the fundamental values of Jerusalem, a city whose strength lies in its religious pluralism and its commitment to safe, open dialogue.” 

Nadav Kagan, head of the David Area Investigation Bureau in the Jerusalem District, told Channel 12 News, “We, in the David Area, deal with all religions and try to keep the area as calm as possible. Sometimes there are attacks, and in the face of any violence, we act with a heavy hand and with zero tolerance in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.” 

The Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack on social media, writing, “Violence against innocent individuals, and especially against members of religious communities, has no place in our society.” 

“We extend our sincere sympathies to the nun, who was pushed to the ground and physically attacked, and we convey our solidarity with the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem,” the ministry said. 

The State of Israel views yesterday’s attack against a nun in Jerusalem with the utmost seriousness. Immediately following the incident, the Israel Police opened an investigation, and the suspect was arrested last night. He remains in custody, underscoring Israel’s firm policy…

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 29, 2026

“Israel remains firmly committed to safeguarding freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all faiths, and to ensuring that Jerusalem remains a city where every community can live, pray, and practice its faith in safety and dignity,” it concluded. 

As of Thursday evening, the suspect remained in police detention.