Organized Israeli settler violence against Christians hits new high: Report

Organized Israeli settler violence against Christians and non-Jewish communities of occupied al-Quds has significantly increased, a report says.

In the report published by QNN news outlet on Sunday, Coordinator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Liaison Office in occupied al-Quds, Youssef Daher, warned that settler violence targeting Christians and non-Jewish communities in the occupied Palestinian capital city no longer reflects isolated incidents or misunderstandings, but rather forms part of a systematic policy with a clear exclusionary agenda.

The recent attack on a French nun was not carried out by a “mad individual” or an isolated act, Daher said.

The attacker held a leadership position as head of an Israeli association, which he said reflects an organized trend aimed at pushing non-Jews out of the city, he stressed.

He described the incident as an act of terror that goes beyond individual behavior and represents an organized attempt to intimidate Christians.

Growing threats now force Christians in occupied al-Quds, including locals and foreigners, to live in constant caution and fear of sudden attacks, he added.

The situation now endangers all Christians, Muslims, and other non-Jews in the Palestinian capital, he warned.

Israeli settler groups operate as organized extremist networks that follow a clear approach based on violence and exclusion of non-Jews, Daher said.

The WCC and other institutions have documented data showing a sharp increase in settler-related violence.

He reported around 187 attacks in 2025 alone, including assaults on individuals and property.

He described the figure as record-high and unprecedented, noting it shows a shift from isolated incidents to structured policy.

Daher also condemned the limited response from Israeli religious bodies and authorities, saying their actions do not match the scale of the violence.

Christian leaders slam ‘despicable’ Israeli assault on French nun in occupied al-Quds

Condemnations pour following an assault by an extremist Israeli settler on a French nun, as attacks on Christian and Muslim clergy and holy sites are on the rise across the occupied territories.

No effective measures have stopped the ongoing abuses against Palestinians under occupation, he said.

In a separate reaction, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for strict punishment for the attacker of the French nun in occupied al-Quds.

Writing on the social media platform X, he expressed sorrow and solidarity with the nun and wished her a swift recovery after what he described as a “shocking attack.”

He added that France “cannot accept these anti-Christian acts under any circumstances,” stressing the country’s historical commitment to protecting Catholic communities and holy sites.

Hundreds of clergy members and nuns from around the world serve in churches and religious institutions across occupied al-Quds.

In recent years, attacks by Israelis on Christian and Muslim clergy and on religious sites have increased significantly.

The attack on the nun comes amid continued Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli military and settler attacks have killed at least 1,155 Palestinians since October 2023, injured around 11,750 others, and led to the abduction of approximately 22,000, according to official figures.

In the same period, the Israeli regime has killed at least 72,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 172,400 others during a genocidal assault on Gaza.

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