Controversial Holy Land Spitting Incident Leads to Shocking Arrests - Find Out More!

Israel Police have apprehended five individuals on Wednesday for allegedly spitting towards Christians or churches within the Old City of Jerusalem. This action follows the recent outrage caused by Orthodox Jews spitting at Christian pilgrims. Four of the suspects were detained for incidents that occurred on Wednesday, while one was arrested for an incident earlier in the week. Among the detainees, four are adults while one is a minor.

According to the Israel Police, one person was arrested for assault and four others were arrested on suspicion of engaging in unlawful disorderly conduct. The individual charged with assault spat on someone, while the remaining individuals spat in the direction of people. The police clarified that these actions led to the different charges.

In addition, the police stated that one of the arrests is related to a video that went viral on Monday. The video showed ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on Christian pilgrims who were carrying a cross out of the Church of the Flagellation in the Old City.

Father Matteo, a priest residing in the Old City, informed CNN on Wednesday that his monastery along the Via Dolorosa, the route believed to be Jesus' path to his crucifixion, experiences up to 10 instances of spitting daily. These individuals derogatorily label it as "an impure place." The priest expressed that while these incidents do not bother him personally, they are disheartening for the spitters as it reflects their upbringing marred by hatred and disdain for others.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement Tuesday "strongly condemning any attempt to inflict harm on worshippers."

Patriarch Nurhan Manougian, head of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, has arrived at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem's occupied West Bank city to commemorate the birth of Jesus. During the celebration on January 18, he was captured in this photograph by Hazem Bader from AFP/Getty Images.

In Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter, a divisive land deal has created a conflict between the local community and its religious leaders. The Israeli government has expressed its unwavering dedication to protecting the fundamental right of worship and pilgrimage to all sacred sites, regardless of one's faith. In response to the controversial actions, the government has promised to take immediate measures to address the issue, emphasizing that offensive behavior towards worshippers is both disrespectful and intolerable.

Israel Police recently declared the formation of a specialized investigative unit, the augmentation of both visible and concealed operations, and the potential implementation of penalties. According to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the act of spitting is indicative of a broader issue that often escalates into physical aggression.

The Israeli Ministry stated that the act of spitting on non-Jews signifies the growing extremism within Israeli society, particularly among extremist settlers. This deplorable behavior is seen as a manifestation of an attitude that escalates from spitting to physical violence and even murder. In response, Jerusalem Police District Commander, Doron Turgeman, emphasized that expressions of hatred towards any individual, whether they are Jews, Muslims, or Christians, will not be condoned by the police in the Old City or any other part of Jerusalem.

Turgeman expressed concern about the actions of extremists who engage in spitting, emphasizing that these individuals have significant issues related to their education, worldview, and respect for others. He further pointed out that a considerable number of spitters are children and urged educational, religious, and parental authorities to promptly and decisively address this behavior, making it unequivocally clear that such actions are not allowed, unacceptable, and shameful.

On Tuesday, Israels Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau strongly condemned "harm to any person and any religious leader. These immoral phenomena have certainly nothing to do with Jewish law."