‘Disgraceful’: Chief Rabbi condemns ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on Christians

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has joined a long list of religious authorities condemning ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on Christian worshippers in Jerusalem. 

Israel Police arrested five people suspected of being behind the spitting, which was caught on video on Tuesday.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks against Christians in Jerusalem. Christian denominations in the holy city have complained about the phenomenon for years, but the number of attacks, which include spitting, vandalism and violent assaults, have risen sharply this year.

“It is difficult to find the words to adequately condemn such disgraceful behaviour, which is the very antithesis of Torah values. In particular, seeing children apparently following the example of those who should know better, is shameful. We have a responsibility to unequivocally reject such conduct,” Mirvis said.

The British embassy in Tel Aviv also issued a statement condemning the attack, saying the UK “supports freedom of religion or belief, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem which is important to Christianity, Islam, & Judaism. UK condemns the assaults on Christian pilgrims and we urge Israel to investigate. We welcome the actions to hold perpetrators to account.”

Following Tuesday’s spitting on Christian worshippers, Israeli authorities and religious figures issued strong worded statements, including Prime Minister Netanyahu who said: “I strongly condemn any attempt to intimidate worshippers, and I am committed to taking immediate and decisive action against it.”

Priests and nuns have said they are being spat on every day in Jerusalem, but that police rarely do anything to find the assailants.

Jewish News has seen a report by Religious Freedom Data Center for documenting anti-Christian attacks, which says that 30 assaults have been reported to the hotline between June 16 and mid August.

Meanwhile, an old clip Israel’s current National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, resurfaced on social media, in which he tells KAN Public Broadcaster: “There is an ancient Jewish tradition when we (Jews) pass by a monastery or a priest, we spit. We can agree or disagree, but when we spit on the priest or the church, I don’t think this expresses any violation.”