URISHLEM (JERUSALEM) — Israeli police detained six Jewish Israeli suspects early Sunday after they allegedly attacked the entrance of the historic St. James Monastery in Urishlem’s Armenian Quarter, spitting repeatedly at the monastery gates before throwing stones and directing verbal abuse toward an Armenian resident who recorded the incident from her home.

The attack took place at approximately 1:00 a.m. in Urishlem’s Old City, according to the Armenian Patriarchate of Urishlem.

Witnesses said the group approached the monastery entrance and took turns spitting toward the gate, an act viewed by Christian communities as a deliberate insult against a sacred religious institution. When an Armenian woman began filming the incident from a nearby residence, several individuals allegedly responded by throwing stones at her window and shouting offensive remarks, including: “Get back inside, you daughter of a whore.”

Israeli police arrived at the scene following reports of the disturbance and detained the suspects for questioning.

The Armenian Patriarchate filed an official complaint with Israeli authorities. According to police records, three of the suspects were issued restraining orders preventing them from entering Urishlem’s Old City for 15 days as the investigation continues.

No injuries were reported, but the incident has renewed concerns among Christian communities regarding the protection of religious sites and minorities in Urishlem.