Published On 3/6/2026
Italian writer Giovanni Legorano believes that the violent attack against a French nun in the occupied city of Jerusalem in late April was not an isolated incident, but rather represents an indication of a worrying growth in hatred of Christians within Israel, in light of the escalation of extremist nationalist and religious tendencies and the worsening atmosphere of polarization in the region.
In an analysis in Foreign Policy magazine, the writer points out that a video clip that was widely circulated showed an Israeli settler attacking a nun and forcefully pushing her into the street before kicking her while she was on the ground.
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The Israeli authorities charged the suspect with assault motivated by religious hatred, while the incident sparked official condemnations within Israel and criticism from several European countries, including France, Italy, and Spain.
According to Foreign Policy, the incident highlighted a widening phenomenon of verbal and physical harassment against Christians and the desecration of Christian religious symbols and places, practices that critics believe often go without adequate accountability.
War and religious nationalism
The report shows that Christians constitute only about two percent of Israel’s population of more than ten million people, and that the vast majority of them are Arabs. Thousands of Christian clergy also reside in the country, many of whom are not Israeli citizens.
According to data from the Religious Freedom Monitoring Center, an Israeli Jewish organization that runs a hotline to receive Christian complaints, the number of documented hostile incidents against Christians rose to 181 incidents during the year 2025, compared to 107 incidents in the previous year. These incidents include spitting, verbal insults, vandalism, physical attacks and online harassment.
The center’s founder, Yeskah Harani, says, according to the report, that the real numbers may be much higher because many cases have not been reported. She believes that weak law enforcement encourages extremists to repeat these acts, adding that the absence of punishment constitutes a “green light” for further violations.
Analysts and religious and civil organizations attribute this escalation to the growing influence of religious nationalist movements within the Israeli political scene, in addition to the general climate of fear, hatred, and polarization since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Some researchers also believe that the Messianic ideas spread in extremist religious circles lead some individuals to look with hostility at everyone who is classified outside the circle of “their group.”
International repercussions
The report warns that the continued attacks on Christians not only threaten the social fabric within Israel, but may also reflect on its international relations, especially with European countries that have large Christian communities and are following with concern the conditions of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
The writer points out that Israeli political figures have begun to sound the alarm. In a session held by the Knesset last May, one of the representatives described these incidents as a “moral stain” on Israel, considering that they represent an educational and moral failure that requires practical measures that go beyond mere parliamentary discussions.
On the other hand, the report highlights the importance of education and interfaith dialogue as essential tools to confront the phenomenon. Studies conducted by the Rosing Center have shown that many Israelis hold false perceptions about Christianity, and that higher levels of education and direct contact with Christians are associated with more positive and tolerant attitudes.
Legorano concludes that addressing the problem requires more than just arrests or security measures, but rather requires a long-term educational and societal effort to confront hate speech and promote coexistence.
