As they neared one of the squares, the local residents apparently identified them as Christians and began to hit them.

Police forces in the area stepped in to stop the violence, but did not make any arrests.

Police say they are waiting for the tourists to file official complaints.


Right Wing Arutz 7 reports that Spontaneous protest rally was held afterwards in Sabbath Square, between the traditional religious communities of Meah She'arim and Geulah, and two hareidim were reportedly arrested.

Arutz-7 has received anecdotal evidence of increased missionary activity in downtown Jerusalem. Jerusalem-area tour guide Yoni Berg told Arutz-7:
"I'm in downtown fairly frequently, and I have seen them of late. Friends of mine who work there have also noted them. They wear shirts with the words 'Your G-d is my god, Your people is my people', and they pass out pamphlets that have Jewish themes but are designed to lead the misinformed to believe in Jesus."

"Most of the people refuse to take the pamphlets," Berg said, "but unfortunately, I have seen several cases where the missionaries engage Jews in conversation."

IsraelNationalRadio "Light Unto the Nations" co-host Jeremy Gimpel says, "Over the last few months, I've seen several different missionary groups in Jerusalem - more than I remember in the past. They claim to love us and support us unconditionally, but their actions prove their hatred and their desire to destroy the Jewish Nation. I always tell them that if every Jew converted to Christianity and gave up their belief in One G-d, there would be no Jewish Nation to love and bless, as they claim to want to do."