In a departure from the traditional Christmas reception, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog engaged in a meaningful dialogue with leaders from various Christian communities. The backdrop of this conversation was the continuing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Instead of the usual festive atmosphere, President Herzog delved into discussions about the current situation, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to the well-being of diverse faith communities in the Holy Land and expressing a shared hope for peace in the upcoming year.
Among the attendees were prominent figures like His Beatitude Theophilos III Giannopoulos, the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Nourhan Manougian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Cardinal Battista Pietro Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
President Herzog addressed the heinous attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, condemning it strongly. He described the act as barbaric and sadistic, highlighting the indiscriminate killing of innocent people from various nationalities, taking hostages, and engaging in atrocities that defy the teachings of the Gospels, Jesus Christ, and the principles of the Jewish faith and moderate Islam.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by Christian communities in the Holy Land, President Herzog asserted that over the past year, he had taken concrete steps to defend and protect these communities. He called upon religious leaders globally, especially from the Christian world, to condemn the horrors of October 7 unequivocally. Herzog urged them to support efforts to eradicate evil from the Holy Land and foster a different future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire region.
In response, Greek Patriarch Theophilos III expressed solidarity with President Herzog during this critical time for the diverse peoples of the Holy Land. He emphasized the multiethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious nature of the region, underscoring the need for unity in the face of challenges.
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