By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Israeli settlers attacked an Armenian church in Jerusalem’s Old City, spitting at its entrance and hurling stones, as Palestinian officials warned of a continued rise in attacks targeting Christian holy sites.

Key Developments

• Israeli extremists spat at and threw stones toward an Armenian church in occupied East Jerusalem.
• The Jerusalem Governorate published footage of the attack.
• Palestinian officials say at least 45 attacks have targeted Christians and Christian holy sites this year.

Israeli settlers attacked an Armenian church in Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, spitting at its entrance and throwing stones at the building, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

In a statement, the governorate said a group of Israeli settlers carried out the assault, describing it as part of an ongoing pattern of attacks targeting Christian holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.

The governorate also released video footage showing at least five Israeli extremists gathering outside the church, spitting toward its entrance before hurling stones at the building.

Pattern of Attacks

The latest incident follows repeated attacks by Israeli settlers and extremists against churches in Jerusalem’s Old City over recent months, including multiple incidents in which Christian clergy and worshippers have been subjected to harassment and spitting.

According to the Palestinian Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, at least 45 attacks have targeted Christians and Christian holy sites since the beginning of the year.

The committee has previously warned of escalating assaults against churches, clergy, and Christian communities in occupied Jerusalem.

In a separate statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said an Arab bus driver was violently assaulted by a group of Israeli settlers in occupied East Jerusalem.

The driver sustained injuries and was transferred to hospital for treatment. No further details were immediately released.

Escalating Violence

The incidents come amid escalating attacks by the Israeli army and illegal Israeli settlers across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza in October 2023.

According to official Palestinian figures, Israeli military operations and settler attacks have killed at least 1,182 Palestinians, injured around 13,000, and resulted in approximately 24,000 arrests across the occupied West Bank during the same period.