Key facts
- Christians in Israel are experiencing increased harassment and fear for their safety.
- A recent violent attack on a Catholic nun in Jerusalem's Old City has heightened concerns.
- Incidents of harassment, including spitting, have nearly tripled in Jerusalem over the past three months.
- Jewish religious nationalists are identified as the primary perpetrators of harassment against Christians.
- Israel has appointed a government envoy to address the relationship between Christians and the country.
- Incidents involving Israeli soldiers damaging religious symbols have also drawn condemnation.
Christians in Israel are increasingly concerned about harassment and their safety, particularly following the October 7th attacks and the ensuing regional conflicts. Many feel that visible signs of their faith attract negative attention, with incidents of spitting and physical attacks on nuns and religious sites being reported.
While some Christians in northern Israel feel the state is not doing enough to protect them, interfaith leaders and researchers are encouraged by improved policing and prosecution efforts. The recent appointment of a Greek Orthodox envoy to the Christian world by Israel signals a governmental effort to address these concerns and foster a better relationship.
Incidents include a violent attack on a nun in Jerusalem's Old City, where harassment has reportedly nearly tripled in recent months, primarily by Jewish religious nationalists. Jewish settlers have also been implicated in property destruction in the West Bank, and Israeli soldiers have been involved in damaging religious symbols.
Despite these challenges, many Christians and Jews are committed to protecting coexistence, drawing on their own histories of religious persecution. Efforts are underway to ensure Christians can not only survive but thrive in Israel, though challenges remain, particularly concerning the influence of religious nationalism and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.