Video of Ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on Christians in Jerusalem draws condemnation

A video showing ultra-Orthodox Jews allegedly spitting towards Christian worshippers in Jerusalem has sparked widespread condemnation it was posted on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.

The video, taken in the old city of Jerusalem, shows a number of ultra-Orthodox Jews, including children, spit at a group of Christian worshipers as they exited a church carrying a cross.

The video has drawn widespread condemnation from Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that he "strongly condemn[s] any attempt to intimidate worshippers" and that "derogatory conduct towards worshipers is sacrilege and is simply unacceptable."

His comments were echoed by a number of other officials including foreign minister Eli Cohen, who stated that the act "does not represent Jewish values."

However, one prominent far-right settler, Elisha Yered, remarked that the act of spitting on churches and towards Christians is permitted in the Jewish faith, calling the act "an ancient Jewish custom."

He added that "perhaps under the influence of Western culture we have forgotten what Christianity is, but I think the millions of Jews who have experienced the Crusades, the [Spanish] Inquisition, blood libel, and mass pogroms will never forget."

Yered, the former adviser to Israeli MK Limor Son Har-Melech of the far-right Otzama Yehudit party, was arrested in August as a suspect in the murder of Palestinian teenager Qusai Mu'tan in the West Bank village of Burqa.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks against Christians that have occurred since the start of the year. Such attacks have seen extremist Jews spit at priests and vandalise Churches and cemeteries.

Such incidents have led to fierce criticism of Israel's current far-right government, which has been blamed for not doing enough to stop the incidents.

The government has also been blamed for emboldening Jewish extremism in Israel. Once such instance includes the actions of Elisha Yered in August being praised by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.