Christian Man Attacked by Jewish Youths in East Jerusalem Detained Alongside Assailants, Held Overnight by Israel Police

A resident of Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter was assaulted by Jewish youths on November 14 and subsequently detained by Israel Police along with them.

While the assailants were released under restrictive conditions, the victim, Georgie Awad, spent the night in custody and was released the next morning to two days of house arrest in exchange for a 3,000-shekel ($913) bond. Awad’s wife and daughter were also asked to report to the police station, but were released later that evening.

Awad recounted the assault in a conversation with Haaretz, saying it occurred as he was on his way to help his wife park the car. According to him, the attackers suddenly appeared, began pounding on the vehicle, and threatened his wife.

“I went to see if my wife was okay; I didn’t lay a hand on anyone,” Awad told Haaretz. “Someone struck me on the head and another choked me,” he added.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and never had a problem with anyone.” He said police arrived only after 45 minutes, despite a police station being just a few dozen meters away. The Old City is generally covered by surveillance cameras monitored from a control center at the Kishle, a detention facility on the edge of the Armenian Quarter.

Security camera footage from the scene shows Awad attempting to open the car door before being shoved to the ground and beaten by the youths. His wife then emerges from the vehicle, and one of the assailants also pushes her…