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Man Indicted for Spitting at Jerusalem Church Door
An indictment was filed on Wednesday against Avraham Antman, a 19-year-old resident of Yitzhar in Judea and Samaria, for allegedly spitting at a church door in Jerusalem's Old City. The prosecution claims the act was motivated by hatred toward Christians and Arabs.
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What happened
- 01Israel's State Prosecution filed an indictment on Wednesday against 19-year-old Avraham Antman from Yitzhar for insulting religion.
- 02The indictment alleges that Antman spat at the door of the Church of the Flagellation in Jerusalem's Old City on July 27, 2025.
- 03Prosecutors claim the act was motivated by hatred toward Christians and Arabs, and they intend to seek a prison sentence.
- 04The case, which is being handled by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, is part of a broader series of church desecrations.
- 05In June 2025, a 40-year-old resident of Modi'in Illit was similarly charged with spitting at a church door in Jerusalem.
- 06In July 2024, Yesachar Gafan of Modi'in Illit was accused of pepper-spraying patrons and staff at an Armenian restaurant in the Old City.
- 07A police source expressed frustration over limited charges and the prosecution's reluctance to approve further investigations into these incidents.
According to the indictment submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, the incident occurred on July 27, 2025, at the Church of the Flagellation, also known as the Church of Jesus's Imprisonment. Antman allegedly approached the church during a tour of the Old City and spat at its entrance. The prosecution has charged him with insulting religion and intends to seek a prison sentence, arguing his actions were meant to desecrate a place of worship and offend believers.
The incident is part of a series of church desecrations in the area. In June 2025, a 40-year-old resident of Modi'in Illit was charged with spitting at a church door, and in July 2024, Yesachar Gafan of Modi'in Illit was accused of pepper-spraying an Armenian restaurant and church. A police source cited limited charges and prosecution reluctance as hindrances to further investigations.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
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