Mental‑Health Verdict: Jerusalem Court Acquits Man Who Attacked Nun
A Jewish man, Yona Schreiber, was acquitted by Jerusalem Magistrates Court after he shoved and kicked a French nun while walking in the Old City of Jerusalem. Video of the assault, which showed Schreiber pushing the nun from behind, was released by Israeli police and drew international criticism.
The court concluded that Schreiber was experiencing a psychotic episode and was not criminally responsible for his actions. Instead of a prison sentence, the court ordered him to be admitted to a psychiatric institution for up to six years. The prosecution had already accepted a psychiatrist’s opinion that he was “not substantively fit to stand trial.”
The nun, a researcher at France’s Biblical and Archaeological School, was struck on the head and suffered bruising on her face and leg. She had to use a stone block for support after the impact. French consular officials condemned the attack as “shameful” and called it an act of sectarian violence.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on X, denouncing the assault and reaffirming its commitment to protect freedom of religion and worship for all faiths in Jerusalem. The ministry called the incident a “direct contradiction to the values of respect and coexistence” upon which Israel is supposed to be founded.
The episode comes amid a period of heightened tensions in the Old City, where Christian clergy and pilgrims have previously reported harassment, spitting, and aggressive behaviour from some Jewish residents. In recent years, church properties have been vandalised and disputes have risen over proposed changes to the status‑quo of holy sites. A 2025 report by the Rossing Center highlights a “recent surge in overt animosity toward Christianity” driven by deepening polarization and ultra‑nationalist politics.
This acquittal, while legally grounded in mental‑health considerations, raises questions about how the justice system balances public safety, religious tolerance, and psychiatric care. It also fuels debate over protections for Christian minorities in Jerusalem, a city at the heart of complex religious claims and geopolitical stakes.
Visual Aid: CCTV footage of the attack released by Israeli police
