An Israeli settler will face trial for an assault on a French Catholic nun near Jerusalem’s Old City, Israel’s Justice Ministry announced on Thursday. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Yona Simcha Schreiber from the West Bank settlement of Pochuel, is accused of kicking and injuring the 48-year-old nun, who is a researcher at Jerusalem’s French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research.

The incident took place on Mount Zion, adjacent to the Old City of Jerusalem. Authorities have classified the attack as motivated by hostility toward a religious group. The details surrounding the altercation have not been fully disclosed, but the charges indicate the assault was driven by religious animus.

The case underscores ongoing tensions in the region, particularly in areas with a complex mix of religious and political significance. The West Bank settlements, including Pochuel, are often focal points in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which frequently touches upon issues of security, religious freedom, and jurisdiction.

According to the Justice Ministry, the trial will address both the physical assault and the suspected ideological motive behind the attack. Legal proceedings are expected to provide further clarification on the circumstances and the suspect’s intent.

No statements from the suspect or his legal representatives have been released at this time. The nun’s current condition has not been publicly updated, and it remains unclear if she has made any formal statement regarding the incident.

This case adds to a number of recent incidents involving violence and hostility between Israeli settlers and residents in Jerusalem and its surroundings. Authorities have increasingly emphasized measures to address acts of violence motivated by religious or ethnic hostility as part of broader efforts to maintain public order in a volatile environment.