President of Palestine Meets with Christian Church Leaders in the Holy Land

The President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, received today the presidents and representatives of Christian churches in the Holy Land at the headquarters of the presidency in Ramallah. The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Vice-President Hussein Al-Sheikh, the Chairman of the Supreme Presidential Committee for the Follow-up of Churches in Palestine, Ramzi Khori, and other key representatives.

President Abbas emphasized the significant role of Christian churches and institutions in supporting the resilience of the Palestinian people. He highlighted the importance of preserving the Christian presence in Palestine, particularly in East Jerusalem, as a vital part of maintaining the cultural and historical identity of the Holy Land. The President also underscored the need for effective Christian representation in the Palestinian legislative and national elections.

He called for the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites, stressing the importance of preserving their historical and legal status. The President condemned any attacks or actions that threaten access to these sites or disrupt religious practices. He also rejected the taxes imposed by the occupying authorities on churches and their institutions in Jerusalem, reiterating that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.

President Abbas expressed appreciation for the efforts of church leaders in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He acknowledged the positions of the Pope and his predecessor, Pope Francis, in their ongoing efforts to end the suffering in Gaza, Jerusalem, and other parts of Palestinian territory.

The President provided the delegation with an update on recent political developments and Palestinian efforts to address the plight of the people. He mentioned the need to cease settlement and settler terrorism, including attacks on villages and towns with Christian majorities. He stressed the importance of halting such attacks and achieving a just and lasting peace based on international legitimacy, ending the occupation, and ensuring the sovereignty and independence of the Palestinian people.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)