In a resolute statement on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his unwavering commitment to preventing attacks on religious believers, following a video that surfaced depicting Jewish worshippers spitting toward Christian pilgrims within Jerusalem's Old City.
Netanyahu, who leads a coalition government comprised of ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties, characterized as one of the most right-wing in Israel's history, expressed strong condemnation for any acts targeting worshippers. "I strongly condemn any attempt to inflict harm on worshippers, and we will take urgent steps against such actions," Netanyahu affirmed. He underscored that offensive conduct towards individuals engaged in worship constitutes a desecration and is entirely unacceptable. The Prime Minister also emphasized a policy of "zero tolerance" for any harm inflicted upon those engaged in religious practices, without making reference to any specific incident.
This statement came in the wake of a video circulating on social media, which depicted ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on the ground as Christian pilgrims carried crosses along Jerusalem's Via Dolorosa—the route that holds significance for Christians as the path Jesus is believed to have walked before his crucifixion. Although AFP could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video, it followed previous instances where Jews were documented insulting or acting aggressively towards Christians within the Old City.
Jerusalem's Old City remains at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while also serving as a focal point for tensions among the world's three major monotheistic religions.
Last month, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem and recently appointed cardinal by Pope Francis, expressed concern about the increasing frequency of attacks on Christians in the Old City. He cited several factors contributing to this phenomenon, including education and the influence of certain movements and rabbis who either incite or condone such actions. Pizzaballa also alluded to the complex historical relations between Jews and Christians, further complicating the situation.
The Archbishop linked the surge in attacks on religious believers to the current Israeli government, suggesting a temporal connection between the two. His observations underscore the delicate nature of the situation and the pressing need to address and prevent religious-based violence.
In response to these developments, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall, issued a statement on Tuesday condemning all forms of violence against believers in the Old City. He emphasized the importance of preserving the delicate fabric of the Old City and called on leaders of all religions to collaborate in achieving this goal.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's unequivocal stance against attacks on worshippers signals a determination to protect religious freedom and promote tolerance within a city of profound spiritual significance for people of various faiths.