A recent report by the Rossing Center, a Jerusalem-based organization dedicated to interfaith coexistence, has documented a significant increase in harassment and violence against the Christian community in Israel and East Jerusalem. According to the report, 111 cases of assault were reported in 2024, including 47 physical assaults, primarily through spitting. This behavior has become increasingly aggressive, with priests, nuns, friars, and monks being targeted daily, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The report attributes the escalation of violence to a growing polarization and radicalization within Israeli society, driven by a mixture of nationalist fervor and religious extremism. The Hardal movement, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector with a nationalist tendency, is particularly implicated in these attacks. Ignorance of Christianity and prejudice are also cited as underlying causes, perpetuated by stereotypes and a lack of education about Christianity in school curricula.
The Christian community in the Holy Land is feeling increasingly threatened and marginalized. The report notes that 48% of young Christians under 30 are considering emigration, with 77% attributing their decision to increasing discrimination and violence. The community is also facing pressure from new settlement policies, such as the plan to build 11,500 housing units in East Jerusalem, which could lead to the further erosion of their religious rights and freedoms.
The Rossing Center report emphasizes the need for education to promote understanding and respect between different faith communities. It recommends separating Christianity from the historical memory of the Holocaust and recognizing Christianity as a religious identity. The report also calls for strong measures to promote inclusion and respect to prevent the decline of the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land.