Church leaders in Jerusalem call for recognition and protection of Christian communities in the Holy Land

JERUSALEM – The patriarchs and heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem launched an appeal asking for an end to the physical and verbal attacks against priests in the Holy Land, and called attention to attacks, acts of vandalism, and desecration against various churches and holy places in Israel and Palestine. 

They noted that these attacks have been carried out by extremist right-wing groups in Israel since 2012, in an attempt to expel the Christian population from the area.

The church leaders acknowledged the “declared commitment of the Israeli government to uphold a safe and secure home for Christians in the Holy Land, and to preserve the Christian community as an integral part of the tapestry of the local community.” 

However, they also expressed their concern about the inability of local political officials and security services to put an end to the practices of extremist Israeli groups which intimidate Christians, attack clergy and desecrate Christian holy sites.

Leaders of these extremist groups also buy real estate within the Christian neighborhoods, particularly in the old city of Jerusalem, with the aim of reducing the Christian presence there.

For millennia, the Christian community of the #HolyLands has not only contributed to the richness of sacred sites, but to its surrounding society and culture. It is tragic that we need to call for its protection in the 21st Century; but do it we all must, of all faiths and none. pic.twitter.com/mzZPjFXc4g

— Archbishop Angaelos (@BishopAngaelos) December 15, 2021