Full Breakdown
Surge in Harassment of Christians in Israel and Occupied Territories (April–June 2026)
7/6/2026, 4:50:50 AM
Report Overview
The Religious Freedom Data Centre (RFDC) and its Hotline recorded 83 attacks on Christians across Israel and occupied territories from April to June 2026, spanning 76 incidents, with 68 reported in Jerusalem.
Trends and Flashpoints
Harassment of Christians has risen since early 2023, especially in Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter. Spikes recur around Jerusalem Day and the Flag March, echoing the pattern seen this quarter.
Incident Numbers
Spitting made up 47 of the 83 incidents (56 %). Other forms included eight verbal assaults, six threats, five trash-throwing episodes, four physical assaults, six signage defacements and seven miscellaneous cases. Jerusalem’s 68 incidents comprised 46 in the Old City, 13 in West Jerusalem and nine on Mount Zion; the rest occurred in Haifa, the Galilee, the Sea of Galilee, the West Bank, Beit Shemesh and Mevaseret Zion.
Notable On-the-Ground Cases
The report documents a violent assault on a nun on Mount Zion, verbal abuse of a monk in a shop, and Israeli parents spitting at clergy before children, often in groups.
Official Response
RFDC warned that harassment now occurs “openly in public spaces, with little hesitation on the part of the perpetrators.” It urged police to use its expertise on Christian sensitivities. In April, police barred Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Easter.
Criticism and Gaps
The centre’s call for greater police engagement reflects criticism of current enforcement and notes inadequate preparation for school visits to Jerusalem, which may fuel hostility. One incident’s location was not disclosed, creating a data gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As in previous reports, the high number of spitting incidents remains particularly striking. During this quarter, 47 incidents involved spitting, accounting for 56% of all recorded forms of harassment,” — Religious Freedom Data Centre
- “In recent years, these acts have increasingly taken place openly, in broad daylight, and at times in a deliberately demonstrative manner. In several cases, perpetrators even explained to Hotline volunteers—and on camera—why they believed such behavior was justified,” — RFDC
- “While some incidents involved individuals acting alone, moving in groups appeared to encourage spitting and similar acts,” — RFDC
- “Harassment and attacks increasingly take place openly in public spaces, with little hesitation on the part of the perpetrators,” — RFDC
Future Monitoring
The RFDC highlighted the need for continued vigilance and urged authorities to adopt its recommendations, especially ahead of upcoming Jerusalem Day and Flag March events.
