As of May 7, 2026, Yona Simcha Schreiber, a 36-year-old Israeli settler, faces trial for allegedly attacking a 48-year-old French nun from the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research in Jerusalem. The incident took place near King David's Tomb on Mount Zion, where the nun was violently pushed to the ground and kicked, causing her injuries.

The assault was captured on surveillance footage, which shows Schreiber running towards the nun and shoving her to the pavement, where she hit her head. He then returned to kick her before fleeing the scene, and the attack was condemned as motivated by hostility towards a religious group.

Israeli police arrested Schreiber shortly after the incident, and he has been in custody since April 29. The Israeli Justice Ministry indicated that he would be charged with assault resulting in injuries, driven by hostility towards a religious group.

Reactions to the attack have been swift and condemning. The French consulate in Jerusalem expressed outrage, demanding legal action against the assailant. Religious leaders, including Father Olivier Poquillon, condemned the incident as part of a worrisome pattern of violence against Christian clergy in the region.

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation of the assault, highlighting the nation’s commitment to freedom of religion and denouncing violence against individuals, particularly members of religious communities.

In recent years, there has been an increase in hostility toward Christian symbols and clergy in Jerusalem, with various incidents reported involving harassment and vandalism. The Faculty of Humanities at the Hebrew University issued a statement expressing shock and emphasizing that this is not an isolated incident, reflecting broader societal tensions.

As Schreiber prepares for trial, the case is likely to draw further attention to the rising challenges faced by religious minorities in Jerusalem, particularly amid ongoing conflicts and societal polarization. The outcome will be closely monitored by both local and international communities concerned about religious freedom in the region.