Nearly half of attacks in occupied al-Quds target Armenian Christians
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New RFDC report finds Armenian Christians suffer nearly half of all anti-Christian attacks in the Old City of al-Quds amid rising settler hate crimes.
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Christian Orthodox pilgrims take part in a traditional Epiphany baptism ceremony at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, near the occupied West Bank town of Ariha, on January 18, 2010. (AP)
A recent report by the Religious Freedom Data Center (RFDC) has revealed a sharp rise in anti-Christian attacks in al-Quds, with nearly half of the incidents in the occupied Old City targeting Armenian Christians.
Covering the period from July to September 2025, the RFDC’s quarterly report titled Incidents Against Christians in Occupied Palestine documented 31 hate crimes across the occupied Palestinian territories. Of those, 43% of the incidents in the Old City of al-Quds specifically targeted Armenian Christians, with the Armenian Patriarchate emerging as the most frequently attacked site.
The report detailed a wide array of attacks:
- Spitting – 9 incidents (29%)
- Verbal abuse – 8 (26%)
- Online incitement – 7 (23%)
- Vandalism – 3 (10%)
- Desecration of holy sites – 3 (10%)
- Defacement – 2 (7%)
- Trespassing – 1 incident
Within the Old City alone, 13 incidents (42%) were recorded. Of those, six occurred at the Armenian Patriarchate, three along the Via Dolorosa, and two each near Bab al-Khalil (Jaffa Gate), Dawoud Street, and the so-called Jewish Quarter.
Other attacks were reported in areas outside the Old City, including West al-Quds (16%), Jabal Sahyoun(6%), and several locations beyond al-Quds (36%), such as Migdal HaEmek, Latrun, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, and Mary’s Spring in Ein Kerem.
Armenian Patriarchate most targeted site in al-Quds
The Armenian Patriarchate was the single most targeted location during the reporting period. The RFDC highlighted that despite police presence in several incidents, law enforcement often failed to act. While some official complaints were filed, follow-up remains minimal.
The report cited a stark contrast in enforcement: at the Polish Monastery, Israeli police intervened to halt harassment, whereas in Mary’s Spring, the site’s signage continues to be vandalized with no official investigation.
RFDC director Yisca Harani emphasized that the 31 documented cases likely represent only a fraction of the actual incidents. "There is extensive underreporting stemming from fear, resignation, and a deficiency in accountability," Harani said. She added that "reports are filed, convictions are non-existent," pointing to a disturbing trend of Israeli impunity in Christian hate crimes.
The report portrays a troubling environment for Christian communities, particularly Armenian Christians in al-Quds, who now face increasing vulnerability in the face of ongoing harassment and violence.
The RFDC warns that the rise in violence against Christians in occupied Palestine is compounded by institutional neglect and a lack of accountability. Without legal repercussions, the frequency and severity of attacks may continue to rise.
As hate crimes escalate and impunity persists, Christian leaders and rights groups are calling for urgent international attention and protection for Christian heritage and communities in al-Quds and throughout occupied Palestine.
