Full Breakdown
Israeli Settler Charged for Assault on French Nun in Jerusalem's Old City
5/7/2026, 11:20:03 PM
The Attack and Legal Proceedings
On 28 April 2026, Yona Simcha Schreiber, a 36-year-old Peduel settler, attacked a French Catholic nun near King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, shoving her to the ground and kicking her while she lay on a stone. Video shows him striking a passerby who intervened. Prosecutors indicted him for assault causing bodily harm and for assault motivated by religious hostility, and requested he remain in custody until a May 2026 trial.
Rising Tensions Against Christians
The attack follows a spate of anti-Christian acts in Jerusalem’s Old City and recent attacks on Christian statues in southern Lebanon. Israel appointed former ambassador George Deek as a special envoy to the Christian world.
Key Figures
- Yona Simcha Schreiber – 36-year-old Peduel settler accused of the attack.
- Victim – 48-year-old French nun, researcher at ÉBAF; Director of ÉBAF – Olivier Poquillon; George Deek – former ambassador to Azerbaijan, appointed special envoy to the Christian world.
Official Statements & Responses
Israel’s Justice Ministry confirmed the indictment and urged continued detention. The Foreign Ministry called the assault a “shameful act.” The French consulate demanded prosecution. The Hebrew University’s Faculty of Humanities called it part of a “troubling pattern of rising hostility toward the Christian community.” Police said they maintain a “zero-tolerance” policy.
Criticism & Opposition
Wadie Abunassar of the Holy Land Christian Forum warned of “great anger on the system and great sadness,” noting arrests are often delayed or lenient.
On-the-Ground Account
Video shows the nun in habit and veil being shoved onto a stone block, head striking, then kicked; bystanders intervened and medical reports confirm facial bruising and leg injury.
Legal Penalties
Israeli law caps assault causing bodily harm at three years’ imprisonment; a conviction for religious hatred can double the term.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on the suspect’s first-name spelling (Yona vs. Yonah) and on his nationality, with some reports omitting it.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling pattern of rising hostility towards the Christian community and its symbols.” — Faculty of Humanities, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- “act of sectarian violence” — Olivier Poquillon, Director, ÉBAF
- “great anger on the system and great sadness, because I feel that this will not end anytime soon.” — Wadie Abunassar, Coordinator, Holy Land Christian Forum
- “The State of Israel attaches great importance to its relations with the Christian world and with its Christian friends around the world,” — Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli Foreign Minister
What's Next
The magistrate’s court will hear the case in May 2026. Israeli authorities pledge to monitor further anti-Christian incidents and to enforce disciplinary measures against soldiers involved in related offenses, while the special envoy’s appointment signals ongoing diplomatic outreach.
