2 weeks ago
Israel's Christians Fear Rising Harassment Amid Regional Conflicts
Many Christians live in Israel, but they are a very small group — less than two out of every hundred people.
Some of them feel scared because mean things have been happening to them.
One Catholic nun named Sister Mayela is so worried that she walks to work with a volunteer who helps keep her safe.
She got more scared after another nun was hurt in Jerusalem's Old City.
Someone even appeared to spit near her, though the teenager said they were just clearing their throat.
The worry grew bigger after a big attack on October 7, 2023, started a long war.
Some Christians think the government is not protecting them enough.
Others see good changes, like police doing more and a new person chosen to help Christians.
Christians still gather happily for special celebrations, like on Mount Tabor.
Sister Mayela feels stronger because of her faith and the Israelis who volunteer to protect her.
Christians, who make up less than 2% of Israel's population, report growing harassment and attacks amid regional tensions.
A Mexican Catholic nun, Sister Mayela, now walks to work with a Jewish volunteer escort after another nun was violently attacked in Jerusalem's Old City.
Concerns have deepened since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered a prolonged war and deepened political and religious divisions.
Some Christians, particularly in northern Israel, say authorities are not doing enough to protect them from crime and harassment.
Interfaith leaders cite signs of improvement, including stronger police action, prosecutions, and the appointment of a Greek Orthodox government envoy for relations with the Christian world.
- Who
- Christians in Israel, a minority of less than 2% including Catholics, Greek Orthodox and other denominations, such as Sister Mayela, a Mexican Catholic nun
- What
- Christians in Israel fear rising harassment and attacks and feel less secure displaying visible signs of their faith
- Where
- Israel, including Jerusalem's Old City and northern Israel's Mount Tabor
- When
- Following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and the prolonged war that followed
- Why
- Regional conflicts have fueled tensions and polarization, deepening political and religious divisions
Christians say protection is insufficient
Officials and researchers point to progress
Government protection of Christians
Christians say protection is insufficient
Some Christians, especially in northern Israel, say authorities are not doing enough to protect them from crime and harassment and that their minority status leaves them vulnerable.
Officials and researchers point to progress
Interfaith leaders and researchers see signs of improvement, citing stronger police action, prosecutions in cases involving attacks on Christians, and the appointment of a Greek Orthodox government envoy for Christian relations.
Spitting incident in Jerusalem
Christians say protection is insufficient
A teenager appeared to spit behind Sister Mayela as she passed a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews; the volunteer escort reported the incident to police.
Officials and researchers point to progress
The teenager claimed she was merely clearing her throat and denied any intent to harass.
Key facts
- Minority share
- Less than 2% of Israel's population
- Trigger event
- Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023
- Reported incident
- Violent attack on a Catholic nun in Jerusalem's Old City
- Protection measure
- Jewish volunteers escort Christians like Sister Mayela
- Government step
- Appointment of a Greek Orthodox envoy for relations with the Christian world
- Christian denominations
- Catholics, Greek Orthodox and others
- Pilgrimage site
- Mount Tabor, traditional site of the Transfiguration of Jesus
Quotes
Sister Mayela
Mexican Catholic nun residing in Jerusalem
“I feel less secure displaying visible signs of my faith”
deccanchronicle.com
“I’m scared after the sister was beat up”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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