SW News: In view of the violent protest by right-wing Jewish activists against an evangelical Christian gathering on May 28 in Jerusalem, the Rev. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), has expressed deep concern.

The Anti-Defamation League Israel described the rallies as "despicable hate speech by Jewish radicals against Christians in Jerusalem." While the Israeli Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of enabling Jews, Christians, and Muslims to worship and pray freely in Jerusalem, they also denounced "any abuse of Jerusalem's freedom of religion and any violence against religious leaders in the city."

Hundreds of right-wing activists, including renowned ultra-orthodox rabbis, mocked, pushed, and spat on Christians during a Western Wall gathering on Sunday. Pentecost, the annual Christian feast day held 50 days following Easter, drew Christians of many ethnicities and beliefs. Protesters smashed the glass windows of the Davidson Center at the venue. "They beat our driver, and the police were present but didn't do anything," one of the members said.

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King said, "It is the duty of every Jew to protect every Jew from falling victim to Christian idolatry. Do you want to say a brief prayer? Permit them to pray in their churches, and they will enjoy religious freedom in their churches.”

Benzi Gopstein, the leader of Lehava, and Rabbi Tzvi Tao, the president of Har Hamor Yeshiva, were both present at the event. In Jerusalem, the frequency of violent assaults and vandalism against Christians and Christian institutions has increased in the last year, which church leaders attribute to the present administration's policy.

According to Dimitri Diliani of the Jerusalem Association of Churches, verbal and physical assaults against Christians and churches in Jerusalem have intensified. According to Diliani, this is because "important parts of Israel's right-wing leadership urge settlers to act against Christians and anybody who differs from them."

According to the website Nextinnovation.network, religious youth recently desecrated a Protestant cemetery and a Jesus statue at an Old City church.