Jaffa Orthodox Priest Recounts Arrest, Strip Search

The Greek Orthodox priest of Jaffa's parish, Constantine Nassar, has detailed his arrest and detention following an intervention during a police operation in the city. Nassar stated he witnessed special police forces using threatening language and causing fear among citizens while inside a shop. He approached an officer, urging a calmer and more respectful interaction, but was met with shouting and insults.

The situation escalated, leading to Nassar being handcuffed behind his back, pushed, and struck as he was forced into a police vehicle. Inside the car, he reported being subjected to further insults, including sexually explicit remarks targeting him, his church, and his congregation, before being stripped of his clerical garments. A crowd gathered after witnessing his arrest, prompting the deployment of special units with dogs to disperse them before he was taken to the central police station.

At the station, Nassar claims he was completely stripped for a search. His situation reportedly changed when an investigator arrived and recognized him. Following this, senior officers and police personnel who knew him arrived, his handcuffs were removed, and he was released without a subsequent summons for further investigation.

After his release, Nassar sought medical attention for bruises and injuries to his hands and legs, with lingering marks on his hands. He intends to pursue legal action and file a complaint against the officer he accuses of assault, having already begun consulting with lawyers and initiating church-level actions.

Nassar described the experience as a profound shock, noting he had never been detained or interrogated during his years of service in Jaffa. The incident has led him to reflect on the situation of Christians in Israel, citing recent attacks on churches and clergy in Jerusalem and elsewhere. He expressed growing fears for the future of Christian presence, observing that some Christians are leaving the country seeking greater safety, and the concern extends beyond his personal experience to the future of Christian communities in general. He stressed the need for greater attention from church institutions to Christian issues and the protection of their identity and presence, warning of a declining sense of security.