Police: Ultra-Orthodox Jew Hurt in Jerusalem Axe Attack

A 55-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jewish man was lightly injured on Monday morning when he was attacked by a Palestinian wielding an axe outside the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel police said.

"A 55-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jewish man was attacked by an Arab man on Monday morning with an axe," a police statement said.

"He hit him on the head, then the victim wrestled a bit with the attacker who then fled on foot," it said.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the victim was lightly injured in the incident which took place by Damascus Gate, the main entrance to the Old City from mainly Arab east Jerusalem.

The victim was taken to Hadassa hospital in Ein Kerem, he said.

"Police have launched a search operation to find the perpetrator of the attack," he said, without giving further details on the suspect's identity.

Last week, a Palestinian man was charged with attempted murder after stabbing a female Israeli soldier on board Jerusalem's light rail system on March 15.

The attack was the first on Jerusalem's light rail, which started operating last August.