Brussels: The Palestinian Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs convened a crucial meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels to address the increasing Israeli attacks against Christians in the occupied Palestinian territories, as reported by the official news agency Wafa. The meeting aimed to bring attention to the ongoing issues faced by Christian communities in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting included key figures such as Amira Hanania, the European representative of the Palestinian Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, and David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. European Parliament member Regina Doherty also participated in the discussions. Additionally, the meeting was attended by Palestinian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union Amal Jadou Shakaa; Mitri Raheb, founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University; and the Rev. Fadi Diab of the St. Andrew's Anglican Episcopal Church in Ramallah.
The Palestinian delegation highlighted the ongoing violations against clergy and church institutions, citing specific incidents where Israeli occupiers have targeted churches and Christian holy sites. The discussions underscored the prevalence of hate speech and incitement, exacerbated by a lack of accountability for these actions, as reported by Wafa.
The committee also addressed the deteriorating conditions in the West Bank towns of Taybeh, Birzeit, and Beit Sahour, along with the Al-Makhrour area. The delegation expressed concerns that the increasing attacks by occupiers pose a significant threat to the continuity of the Christian presence in the region.
The delegation emphasized that Israeli violations are part of broader 'systematic policies' aimed at undermining the Christian presence. These policies include imposing taxes on church properties, attempts to seize land, restrictions on religious worship, and pressures that lead to forced migration, as highlighted by Wafa.
The Palestinian representatives urged the European Union to take decisive political actions to hold perpetrators accountable, provide protection, and halt violations against Palestinians and their holy sites. Both parties agreed to continue their coordination and joint efforts to enhance the protection of holy sites and maintain religious pluralism and the Christian presence in Palestine, according to Wafa.
The recent attacks on Christians have attracted global criticism of Israel from various Christian communities. Notably, an incident involved an Israeli soldier desecrating the statue of the Virgin Mary in Dibil, southern Lebanon, and another soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in the same town. Furthermore, an Israeli occupier recently assaulted a nun in occupied East Jerusalem, necessitating her hospitalization.
Israeli police actions have also raised concerns, particularly the prevention of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem during Easter, along with imposing restrictions on Christian participation in Easter celebrations. Multiple incidents have been documented in occupied East Jerusalem, where Israeli extremists spat at churches and Christian clergy. Additionally, churches in the Gaza Strip have been attacked and destroyed during the ongoing conflict that began in October 2023.