Anti-Christian Hate Incidents Double in Jerusalem During 2026

Anti-Christian hate crimes, including verbal abuse and spitting, have surged in Jerusalem. The Religious Freedom Data Center reported 107 incidents in the first half of 2026, more than double the number recorded during the same period in 2024. Victims include Palestinian Arab Christians, nuns, and foreign clerics. In one instance during a May celebration for the 1967 capture of East Jerusalem, teenagers targeted the Armenian Apostolic Church, claiming the humiliation of Christians was a religious duty.

While the Israeli government maintains a commitment to religious freedom, critics argue that extremists within the government encourage this behavior. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has described spitting on Christians as an ancient Jewish custom rather than a crime. Further friction exists regarding municipal taxes on church properties and security restrictions that prevent senior Catholic clergy from worshiping.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee intervened with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after anti-Christian prejudice at the Ministry of Interior blocked visas for evangelical Christian organizations. Following this pressure, Netanyahu intervened to release the visas.