Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

Much of the Christian world is currently observing the period of Lent, which leads up to Easter, a very busy time in Jerusalem's Old City.

However, along with the celebrations, Israeli Christians and foreign pilgrims often experience harassment and even sometimes attacks.

This week, a second annual report from the Israel-based Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue documented 111 attacks against Christians, including 46 physical attacks, 35 attacks against church properties, and 13 cases of harassment.

Last year’s inaugural report documented 89 cases, including 32 attacks on church properties, 30 formally reported cases of spitting, and seven violent attacks, most of them against multiple victims. 

According to the report, most perpetrators appear to belong to the ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities. The majority of the victims are clergy or people wearing visible Christian symbols. 

On this week's Friday Focus, Berman puts on his Christian Affairs reporter hat and discusses this phenomenon, including why official Israel is increasingly paying attention to it.

This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. 

IMAGE: Orthodox Christians walk in the Good Friday procession in the Old City of Jerusalem, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

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