THIS is the shocking moment a defenceless nun is brutally attacked by a man in the heart of Jerusalem.
Harrowing CCTV footage shows the unsuspecting nun walking alone when a man suddenly sprints towards her from behind and violently shoves her with full force.
The moment a man suddenly shoves a nun to the ground Credit: Israel Police
He then begins to repeatedly kick her Credit: Israel Police
The nun, who was wearing a tunic, is hurled to the floor and viciously kicked in broad daylight.
She is seen writhing in pain and clutching her head as the attacker walks away then suddenly strides back towards her.
He begins to repeatedly kick the stricken woman as she lies helplessly on the ground.
The assault only stops when a bystander rushes in to intervene.
The man walks away as the nun lays helplessly on the floor Credit: Israel Police
He suddenly strides back towards her and continues to hit kick the pedestrian Credit: Israel Police
The attack took place in front of the Cenacle on Mount Zion – a deeply significant religious site for both Christians and Jews.
Some Christians believe Jesus held the Last Supper at this location.
confirmed a suspect has now been arrested.
“The suspect, a 36-year-old male, was identified and subsequently arrested by police,” the force said, adding it viewed with “utmost severity” any violent act “driven by potentially racist motives and directed toward members of the clergy”.
Israeli soldiers were removed from combat duty after destroying a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the act, saying: “I condemn the act in the strongest terms” Credit: Reuters
Officers said the man was detained “on suspicion of assault, with all potential motives under examination”.
The assault comes amid wider tensions, following a separate incident earlier this month in which in southern Lebanon.
The act drew widespread condemnation.
The Israeli military said it viewed the incident with “great severity”, adding the soldier’s conduct was “wholly inconsistent with the values expected”.
Footage released by police showed the nun visibly bruised, while the attacker appeared to be wearing tzitzit – a garment associated with observant Jewish men.
The Times of reported that the arrested suspect was Jewish.
The victim – a 48-year-old nun – has been left deeply shaken by the ordeal.
Father Olivier Poquillon said: “Yesterday, around 17.45 … she felt someone come up behind her and throw her with full force onto a rock.
“While the sister was on the ground, the man began to kick her repeatedly.”
He had earlier blasted the incident as a “gratuitous assault”, describing it as an “act of sectarian violence” and warning that “the scourge of hatred is a common challenge”.
‘Pending the judicial follow-up, we thank the people who came to the aid of our sister during the attack she fell victim to, the diplomats, the academics, and all those who provided their support,’ he wrote.
The French Consulate in Jerusalem also issued a statement “strongly condemning” the attack.
Israel’s foreign ministry branded the assault a “shameful act”, insisting the country remains committed “to safeguarding freedom of and freedom of worship for all faiths”.
The Faculty of Humanities at Hebrew University said it was not an isolated case, warning of a “troubling pattern” of hostility towards Christians.
A European diplomatic source echoed those fears, claiming anti-Christian abuse – including insults and spitting at clergy – has become a daily occurrence.
Wadie Abunassar, coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum, said attacks targeting Christians are on the rise – but warned perpetrators often escape serious consequences.
He said he felt “great anger on the system and great sadness because I feel that this will not end anytime soon”.
“Many times in such cases there are no arrests and if there are arrests, sometimes after one or two days, [suspects] are released,” he added.
“In some cases, the police do not recommend the prosecution to file charges or to indict them. And in some cases, when there is indictment, the indictment is mild.”
Meanwhile, authorities said those involved in the sledgehammer attack would face disciplinary action, while efforts were underway to restore the damaged statue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the act, saying: “I condemn the act in the strongest terms.”
“I am confident that necessary severe measures will be taken against whoever committed this ugly act,” added Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee branded it an “outrageous act” and urged firm action.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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