Court Acquits Jerusalem Attacker on Mental Health Grounds After CCTV Incident

A video captured by CCTV shows 36‑year‑old Yona Schreiber pushing and kicking a French nun as they walked in Jerusalem’s Old City on 28 April. The nun suffered a bruised face and leg from the assault.

Jerusalem Magistrates Court determined Schreiber was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the attack, rendering him not criminally responsible. The court ordered his detainment in a psychiatric hospital for up to six years.

The Israeli foreign ministry condemned the violence, describing it as a shameful act that contradicts the nation’s commitment to respect, coexistence, and religious freedom. Officials emphasized that Jerusalem must remain a safe city where all faiths can practice freely.

The incident has fueled alarm over a recent surge in aggression against Christian clergy and pilgrims in the Old City, with reports highlighting rising vandalism and confrontations involving religious Jews.

Schreiber’s case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding sectarian relations in Jerusalem and raises questions about how mental health considerations are treated within Israel’s legal system.