Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- Israeli authorities are investigating whether the attack that left an American woman dead and her friend injured was `` nationalistic , '' a police spokesman said Monday , using a term for crimes in which a victim is targeted based on an Arab or Israeli background . American Kristine Luken died in the attack . Her body was found Sunday after Kay Susan Wilson , Luken 's friend and co-worker at a Christian ministry , stumbled into a picnic area with her hands bound , bleeding from multiple stab wounds and asking for help . Wilson told authorities the two were hiking in a forest near Beit Shemesh , west of Jerusalem , when two men attacked them , tied them to a tree and stabbed them , according to police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld . Wilson told reporters from her hospital bed Sunday that one of the men was armed with a long serrated knife and that she believes they were Arab . `` It was clear that they came to kill , '' the Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted Wilson as saying . `` Who carries around a knife like that ? '' Wilson said she was wearing a Star of David on a necklace when she was attacked , according to the newspaper . `` He took it off like a gentleman and then turned me around and stabbed in the place where the Star of David had been , '' Haaretz quoted her as saying . Rosenfeld confirmed Monday that investigators ' primary focus is that the attacks may have involved nationalistic intent , but he said investigators have not yet completely ruled out other possibilities . Luken and Wilson both worked for CMJ UK , a Christian ministry based in England . Wilson , a British citizen living in Israel , was a senior tour guide for the group , according to a statement posted to the group 's website by its CEO , Robin Aldridge . Luken was an administrator for the group and had recently taken over responsibility for managing the group 's tour operations in Israel , Aldridge said . `` She had a beautiful and gentle spirit as well as a strong and vibrant faith , '' Aldridge said of Luken . `` She loved Israel and had visited on several occasions both as a tourist and as a member of CMJ . '' `` It is a tragedy that such a lively , caring and faith-filled person should have been struck down in such a way , '' he said . The Foreign Office in London said it was `` aware of the hospitalization of a British national '' and was ready to provide assistance if needed . Luken had worked for CMJ UK for one year , having previously been a government employee , according to Aldridge . `` She had to cope with a move to a new country as well as a new job but quickly made the adjustment and became a key member of our team , '' Aldridge said . He said the group 's work sharing the Christian faith with the Jewish people in Israel would continue despite the attack .
NEW : Police confirm they are focusing on whether the attack was `` nationalistic '' NEW : The term is used when victims are targeted based on their Israeli or Arab background . Luken was hiking with a friend and colleague from a Arab ministry . Kristine Luken 's friend survived the attack and summoned help .