A Christian nun affiliated with the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research was injured on Tuesday afternoon after being assaulted near King David’s Tomb in occupied Jerusalem, according to church sources, Israeli police, and the al‑Baidar Human Rights Organization.
The attack occurred while the nun was walking near the Cenacle and several Christian institutions in the Bab al‑Nabi Dawud area, when a Jerusalem resident approached and struck her, causing injuries that required medical attention.
Israeli police said they received a report on Tuesday afternoon about an assault on a nun in the King David’s Tomb area.
On Wednesday, police announced the arrest of a 36‑year‑old “Jerusalem resident” suspected of carrying out the attack.
Police stated that the incident is being investigated as a racially or religiously motivated assault. No further details about the suspect’s identity were released.
The al‑Baidar Human Rights Organization said the nun was injured in an attack carried out by an Israeli colonizer.
The organization said the incident reflects a broader escalation of violations targeting civilians in Jerusalem and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Church officials condemned the assault, noting that Christian clergy and institutions in Jerusalem have faced repeated attacks in recent years, including harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults, particularly in and around the Old City.
They added that these incidents follow a well‑documented pattern of assaults by extremist Israelis targeting Christian clergy and religious institutions in occupied Jerusalem.
They said the lack of accountability for such attacks has contributed to a climate of fear among Christian communities.