A Jerusalem court has acquitted a man accused of assaulting a nun after determining he was experiencing a psychotic episode during the attack.
A Jerusalem Magistrates Court has reached a verdict regarding the high-profile assault of a nun in the city's Old City. The defendant, 36-year-old Yona Schreiber, was acquitted of criminal charges stemming from an incident that occurred in April. The court determined that Schreiber was suffering from a severe psychotic episode at the time of the physical altercation, leading the presiding judge to conclude that he could not be held criminally responsible for his actions.
The court's decision followed a formal assessment hosis during the attack and was not fit to stand trial in a traditional sense. Consequently, Judge Ofir Tishler ordered that the defendant be committed to a psychiatric facility. The mandate requires Schreiber to remain under psychiatric care for a period of up to six years, ensuring he receives the necessary treatment while protecting the public from further harm.
The assault, which was captured on CCTV footage, showed Schreiber pushing and kicking a French nun as she walked through the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. The victim suffered injuries including a bruised face and leg after striking her head on a stone block during the encounter. The video recording of the incident circulated widely, sparking immediate and intense public condemnation across various sectors of society.
International and local institutions expressed profound concern following the release of the footage. The French Consulate in Jerusalem issued a statement strongly condemning the aggression, while the director of the French Biblical and Archaeological School—where the victim serves as a researcher—publicly categorized the assault as a clear act of sectarian violence. The incident exacerbated existing anxieties regarding the safety of religious clergy and pilgrims visiting the region.
While the physical violence against the nun was considered an extreme case, it occurred against a backdrop of increasing friction within Jerusalem. Over the past few years, there have been recurring reports of religious individuals spitting on or acting aggressively toward people wearing Christian religious attire or symbols. These incidents, combined with the occasional vandalism of church properties, have contributed to a climate of unease for many religious communities.
Beyond individual acts of harassment, there have been ongoing disputes regarding the management and ownership of various holy sites. These disagreements often touch upon the delicate, long-standing agreements that govern how different faiths space in the city. The accumulation of these tensions has led to a noticeable strain on inter-faith relations, prompting calls for better protection of religious freedom and safety for all residents and visitors.
In the wake of the assault, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong denunciation of the violence, labeling it a "shameful act." The ministry emphasized that such behavior directly contradicts the core values of respect, coexistence, and religious freedom that the nation maintains as its foundation. Officials reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the rights of all faiths to worship and practice in safety and dignity within Jerusalem.
