A nun was assaulted in occupied East Jerusalem earlier this week amid growing concern over Israeli attacks against Christians.
The 48-year-old, a researcher at Jerusalem’s French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, was attacked on Tuesday in front of the Cenacle, a site on Mount Zion regarded as holy by both Christians and Jews.
She received medical treatment for her injuries, with photographs circulating online showing bruising to her face where she was struck.
Father Olivier Poquillon, the director of the nun's Dominican-run institute, told AFP that she "felt someone come up behind her and throw her with full force onto a rock," adding that "while the sister was on the ground, the man began to kick her repeatedly."
On X, Father Poquillon condemned the “gratuitous assault”, as did the French Consulate in Jerusalem. Both called for the attacker to be arrested.
