Israeli Court Acquits Man Who Attacked Nun in Jerusalem, Orders Psychiatric Hospitalization

In an Israeli court decision that has drawn international attention, a 36‑year‑old Jewish man was acquitted of assault after attacking a French nun in Jerusalem’s Old City, the court ruling that the defendant was not criminally responsible because he was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the incident. The court ordered that he be committed to a psychiatric hospital for up to six years.

The attack, captured on CCTV in April, saw Yona Schreiber push the nun from behind and kick her, causing her to hit a stone block and sustain bruises on her face and leg. The victim, a researcher at the French Biblical and Archaeological School, was a French national. The video of the assault sparked widespread condemnation and heightened concerns about a recent rise in harassment of Christian clergy and pilgrims by Jewish extremists in the Old City.

A district psychiatrist’s report, presented to the court, concluded that Schreiber was in a psychotic state when he committed the act and was therefore “not substantively fit to stand trial.” The prosecution accepted the psychiatric opinion and requested that Schreiber be acquitted and committed to a psychiatric facility. Judge Ofir Tishler, who presided over the case, stated that although the defendant did assault the nun, the court’s decision was guided by his mental health condition.

The French Consulate in Jerusalem issued a statement condemning Schreiber’s “aggression,” while the director of the French Biblical and Archaeological School described the assault as an “act of sectarian violence.” Israel’s foreign ministry also denounced the attack, calling it a “shameful act” that ran counter to the values of respect, coexistence, and religious freedom on which Israel is founded. In a statement on X, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding freedom of religion and ensuring that Jerusalem remains a city where all faiths can practice safely and with dignity.

Police released the footage of the assault, which shows the nun being struck from behind. The video has been widely circulated on social media, adding to the international outcry over the incident. The incident is part of a broader pattern of aggression toward Christians in Jerusalem’s Old City, where there have been repeated reports of religious Jews spitting on, verbally harassing, or physically confronting those wearing Christian religious dress or symbols.

Over the past few years, church properties in the Old City have been vandalised, and disputes have intensified over settler takeovers that threaten to alter the long‑standing status‑quo agreements on ownership and responsibilities of holy sites. Church leaders accuse the Israeli government of attempting to shift that balance, citing a “continued deepening of polarisation and ultra‑nationalist political trends” that the Rossing Center, a Jerusalem‑based inter‑faith organisation, highlighted in a 2025 report.

The court’s decision, while addressing the specific case of the nun’s assault, also underscores the legal system’s approach to mental health in criminal proceedings. By ordering Schreiber’s commitment to a psychiatric hospital rather than a prison sentence, the court acknowledged the defendant’s lack of criminal responsibility due to his psychotic condition. The six‑year commitment period reflects the severity of the condition as assessed by medical professionals, and it is intended to provide treatment rather than punishment.

The incident and the subsequent legal ruling have reignited calls from religious communities and international observers for stronger protections for Christian clergy and pilgrims in Jerusalem. While the Israeli government maintains that it remains committed to religious freedom, the case illustrates the tensions that can arise when extremist actions intersect with legal and mental‑health considerations. The French authorities and Israeli officials are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, and the incident is likely to influence ongoing discussions about security, religious rights, and the treatment of mentally ill offenders in the region.