StandWithUs is deeply disturbed by the shocking, shameful assault on a Catholic nun by a man in Jerusalem.

This kind of behavior should never be tolerated under any circumstances. It stands in complete contradiction to the values of the State of Israel and to the character of Jerusalem as a city sacred to multiple faiths. It also stands in contrast to the values and laws taught in Israel.

Israel is a vibrant, diverse society where freedom of religion is a core principle. The country is home to hundreds of mosques and hundreds of churches, alongside Jewish holy sites, reflecting a rich tapestry of religious life. Since the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, people of all faiths have been able to worship freely in the capital. Every day, people of different faiths live, work, and worship side by side. Acts of violence like this are not representative of Israeli society, and the overwhelming majority of Israelis reject such behavior outright.

We welcome the swift arrest of the suspect and trust that the authorities will pursue justice fully as the Israel Police have committed publicly to do. Accountability is essential in sending a clear message that attacks against any religious individual or community is an attack against all of us, and it will not be tolerated. We praise the passerby who intervened to help.

At the same time, this incident is a reminder that values must be lived, not just taught. In Israel, students are educated from a young age to respect others, regardless of background or belief. That message must be reinforced not only in classrooms, but in everyday actions. Respect is not theoretical – it must be practiced.

StandWithUs stands in solidarity with the victim and with the Christian community in Jerusalem. We appreciate the condemnation of this act by Israeli leaders and call on them to continue strengthening a culture of mutual respect and coexistence, ensuring that Jerusalem remains a place where all people can live and worship in safety and dignity.

On behalf of the global Board, staff, students and supporters of StandWithUs, Executive Director of StandWithUs Israel, Michael Dickson, personally visited the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research (ÉBAF) at the Saint-Etienne (St Stephen) convent, where the nun who was assaulted is employed as a researcher, to deliver flowers wishing her a speedy and complete recovery and to express support to her and to the institution she works for. Michael met with the institute’s director Father Olivier Poquillon to pledge continued strong relations between the Jewish and Christian communities of the Holy City.