Spitting on Christians is a Custom for some Jews

This curious image appeared in my Facebook timeline
so I made an inquiry to AI. 

In recent years, "spitting on Christians" has primarily referred to a series of controversial incidents in Jerusalem's Old City, where members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community have been filmed spitting at Christian pilgrims, clergy, and religious sites. 

The phenomenon is characterized by several key factors:

1. Cultural and Historical Context

• Perceived "Ancient Custom": Some extremist individuals defend the act as an "ancient Jewish tradition" intended to show contempt for "idol worship". This is often tied to a superstitious practice of spitting to ward off the "evil eye" when seeing something perceived as religiously offensive.
• Historical Grievances: Some proponents cite a history of Christian persecution of Jews (such as the Crusades and the Inquisition) as justification for public acts of defiance. 

2. Modern Religious and Political Escalation

• Rise in Incidents: Reports indicate a significant increase in these attacks starting in 2023. A 2025 report noted 111 such attacks in a single year.
• Radicalization: Experts suggest the current political atmosphere in Israel has emboldened extremist groups. Some officials, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have downplayed the acts as "not a crime" or an "old tradition," though they have faced widespread criticism for these remarks. 

3. Official Condemnation

• Religious Leaders: Both the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Chief Rabbis of Israel have strongly condemned the practice, stating it has no basis in Jewish law (Halakha) and is a "desecration of God's name" (Chillum Hashem).
• Government Stance: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials have condemned the attacks, emphasizing a "zero-tolerance" policy.
• Legal Action: Israeli police have conducted undercover operations and arrested several individuals, including minors, for participating in these incidents. 

4. Broader Biblical and Historical Meanings

Outside the specific context of modern Jerusalem, spitting has diverse meanings:

• Disrespect and Insult: In most cultures and biblical contexts, spitting is a profound sign of contempt, anger, or bullying.
• Biblical Healing: In the New Testament, Jesus is recorded as using spit in rituals to heal the blind and those with speech impediments, which some theologians interpret as an insult to the "disease" rather than the person.