France's consulate demanded that the perpetrator be brought to justice. The suspect is reportedly a 36-year-old Jewish man, according to sources. Israel's Foreign Ministry described the attack as an 'abominable attack' in an official statement. The perpetrator has been arrested.
The attack occurred in the context of increased harassment of Christian clergy and pilgrims by Jewish extremists in Jerusalem's old city. The nun reportedly survived relatively well, though many outraged people say attacks against Christians and Christian symbols have become increasingly common in Israel. It remains unclear what motivated the attacker or what specific injuries the nun sustained.
abominable attack