Jerusalem’s Armenians are under attack, and the world is looking away - opinion

In an opinion piece, Bedross Der Matossian argues that Jerusalem's Armenian community faces persistent harassment from extremist haredi and nationalist Jewish youths, citing a recent incident of spitting and stone-throwing. He criticizes the police for releasing suspects with minimal consequences, noting a 15-day ban from Jerusalem. The author calls for stronger enforcement and international investigation, warning that the community's population decline threatens its future.

In an opinion piece published on August 7, 2026, Bedross Der Matossian argues that Jerusalem's Armenian community is facing a sustained pattern of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination from extremist haredi and nationalist Jewish youths. He cites a recent incident in which six ultra-nationalist religious Jews spat on the sacred entrance of the Cathedral of St. James in the Armenian Quarter and threw stones at Armenian homes. The author references a Wall Street Journal investigation that brought international attention to rising anti-Christian hostility in Jerusalem. He criticizes the Israeli police for releasing suspects with minimal consequences, noting that after the latest incident, suspects were barred from Jerusalem for only 15 days. Der Matossian argues that this approach has failed to deter repeat offenses and that the political climate emboldens extremist groups. He calls for consistent enforcement of existing laws, stronger penalties including imprisonment, and international investigation by human rights organizations. The author also notes that the Armenian community's population has declined over the decades, raising concerns about its long-term future. He concludes that Israel has a legal and moral responsibility to protect all communities, and that the current situation raises serious questions about whether sufficient protection is being provided.