The Armenian church in the Old City of Jerusalem was the target of an attack on Saturday night, when several people spat at the temple and threw stones at the building. Israeli Police detained six suspects, five of them minors, in a new episode of harassment against the Christian presence in the holy city.
According to the KNA agency, the arrests took place after several citizens reported the incident. The Police requested pretrial detention for three of the suspects, while the other three were released under certain conditions.
A pattern of aggression against Christians
The attack is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, various organizations and international media have warned of the increase in attacks against churches, monasteries, clergy, and Christian faithful, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Religious Freedom Data Center (RFDC) documented 83 attacks against Christians between April and June 2026, almost double the number recorded in the previous quarter. Most of the incidents occurred in Jerusalem and involved spitting, physical assaults, threats, insults, vandalism, and the throwing of stones and other objects at churches and monasteries.
The report also notes that many of the attackers are minors and that, in some cases, they act with the encouragement of their own parents, a detail that reappears in this latest incident, where five of the six detainees are minors.
Growing concern among Christian communities
The increase in these attacks has been repeatedly denounced by the Churches of the Holy Land. An extensive report published this weekend by The Wall Street Journal includes testimonies from priests and religious who claim that spitting, insults, and acts of harassment have become a daily reality for those wearing habits or displaying visible signs of their faith in Jerusalem.
Among the most serious incidents this year was the assault suffered in April by a French nun on Mount Zion, who was pushed to the ground and kicked by a Jewish extremist. The attacker was arrested and the incident prompted widespread international condemnation.
Police promise to act firmly
Following the attack on the Armenian church, Israeli Police stated that it “takes all forms of violence and racism very seriously” and reiterated its commitment to act “with determination” to identify those responsible, bring them to justice, and ensure public safety.
The new incident once again highlights the growing vulnerability of Christian communities in Jerusalem, where attacks on places of worship, clergy, and the faithful have become an increasingly frequent concern for the Churches present in the Holy Land.