Yona Schreiber, 36, is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a French nun in Jerusalem last week. The suspect was arrested on Tuesday, the same day the attack occurred.
Details of the Assault
Police footage released last week shows the suspect, who was wearing tzitzit
, a Jewish ritual men’s undergarment, running up behind the nun and shoving her to the ground. The video shows Schreiber walking away before returning to kick the woman although she was still lying on the ground.
The footage also captures a brief scuffle between the suspect and a passerby who appeared to attempt to intervene. Police shared images showing bruises on the right side of the nun’s face.
Legal Proceedings
Israel Police submitted a prosecutor’s statement to the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Sunday. Authorities have requested to extend Schreiber’s remand until charges are filed and all legal proceedings are completed.
Victim Affiliation
Olivier Poquillon, the director of the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, confirmed the nun was a researcher at the school. In a post on X last week, Poquillon described the attack as an act of sectarian violence
.
Broader Context of Tension
Wadie Abunassar, the coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum, characterized attacks targeting Christians as a growing phenomenon
. He expressed concern over a lack of deterrence, noting that suspects in similar cases are sometimes released quickly or face mild indictments.
These events follow recent tensions between the government and Christian communities. This includes an incident where police briefly blocked top Catholic clergy from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before Easter due to gathering restrictions during the Iran war.
Israeli soldiers recently drew condemnation for bludgeoning a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon. Two soldiers involved were punished and removed from combat duty.
Historical Patterns
The region has seen years of attacks on Christians in the Old City by Orthodox Jews. This includes a persistent pattern of spitting attacks, often carried out by yeshiva students who follow an extreme interpretation of the Bible’s instruction to abhor
idol worshipers.
Last year, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, criticized the Israeli government for treating Christian organizations as adversaries
.
Potential Next Steps
The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court may grant the request to extend the suspect’s remand. Depending on the prosecutor’s final filing, the case could lead to a formal indictment based on the evidence provided by police footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the suspect in the assault?
The suspect is Yona Schreiber, 36.
Where did the attack take place?
The assault occurred in front of the Cenacle on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
What was the suspect’s attire during the attack?
The suspect was wearing tzitzit, which is a Jewish ritual men’s undergarment.
Do you believe video evidence is the most critical factor in ensuring legal accountability in sectarian violence cases?
