Jerusalem police reopen case of Armenian boy, 9, reportedly pepper-sprayed on Yom Kippur

Israel Police have reopened an investigation into a reported pepper-spray attack on a 9-year-old Armenian Christian boy in Jerusalem, Israel's Channel 13 News reported. According to Channel 13, police closed the case almost at once despite the family's complaint and changed course after the station's report. News In Israel reported the reopening early on Sept. 26. FWB did not find a public statement from Israel Police.

Armenpress reported that Channel 13 reporter Yossi Eli first described the incident on X on Sept. 24. He said the boy, named William, was riding a bicycle near Jerusalem's Mamilla area during Yom Kippur while listening to music on headphones. As Armenpress relayed Eli's account, young people approached, threatened him and told him to remove his headphones, then sprayed him. PanArmenian, citing Armenian journalist Gegham Balyan and Sputnik Armenia, reported that one of them said "No English, Jews are here" after hearing the boy speak English.

This year Yom Kippur ran from sundown on Sept. 20 to nightfall on Sept. 21. The reports do not give the exact time of the incident.

According to Armenpress, Eli said security cameras recorded the incident. He also posted footage of the boy being treated in an ambulance. He said it was the second time the boy had been targeted. The boy's mother told Channel 13 that her son now has trouble sleeping and is afraid.

No one has been identified, and accounts differ on whether one person or a group was involved. The Telegraph also reported the case on Sept. 25.