Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court in Israel acquitted 36-year-old Yona Schreiber, who was accused of attacking a French Christian nun. The court concluded that Schreiber could not be held criminally responsible because of mental illness and psychosis at the time of the incident.
The court accepted that Schreiber had carried out the acts described in the indictment. However, relying on the expert assessment of his mental state at the time of the incident, the court ordered Schreiber to receive treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
Idan Gamliel, an attorney appointed by the Public Defender’s Office, argued that an expert psychiatrist had concluded that the attack stemmed from Schreiber’s mental illness and that he should be treated in a hospital.
Details of the attack in Jerusalem
Israel’s State Attorney’s Office filed an indictment against Schreiber on May 7. The indictment said that on April 28, a French Christian nun wearing religious clothing was followed in Jerusalem and forcefully pushed to the ground.
It said Schreiber kicked the nun after she fell and attacked a person who tried to stop the assault with punches and kicks. Footage also captured the attack.
Schreiber was tried on charges of assault causing bodily injury motivated by hostility toward a religious group, as well as common assault.
France calls for justice
Following the attack, calls were made in France for the suspect to be punished. France’s Consulate General in Jerusalem condemned the incident and called for Schreiber to be brought to justice.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot said on May 2 that he had contacted the nun and conveyed his support. Barot said the attacker should receive a deterrent punishment.
Barot said such a punishment was necessary to end anti-Christian acts in the Holy Land, which he said were increasing. He stressed that France could not tolerate such acts in any way.
