Agencies-Gaza post
Christian organizations in Holy Land praised US Representatives letter to Blinken
Christian organizations in the Holy Land appreciated US Representatives for their letter to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken dated April 29, 2022.
The Representatives called On president Biden’s administration to safeguard religious freedom abroad as a fundamental component of US foreign policy, and expressed serious worry about the surge in attacks against Jerusalem’s Christian population.
“We hope and pray that the State Department will work with the Israeli government to uphold the latter’s stated commitment to international conventions and freedom of worship for all religions, as well as to hold accountable radical Israeli groups that attack Christian clergy and seize church property,” the letter said.
“This Easter 2022, as it has been for the past 15 years, Christians from the West Bank were denied visas to visit Jerusalem to participate in the Holy Week celebrations,” the letter added.
During Holy Fire Saturday, Christians who made it to Jerusalem saw parades disrupted and members of their community, relatives and friends, clergy and pilgrims beaten by Israeli police and denied access to the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) and the Christian Quarter.” “Such is this clear violation by the Israeli government in a series of infringements and intimidation, noted repeatedly by local Church leaders in Jerusalem,” the Organizations added.
According to the letter, the Christian community in the Holy Land is looking forward to President Joe Biden’s visit in June and is praying that the Administration recognizes the importance of the President meeting with the Heads of Churches and Muslim leaders in Jerusalem, listening to them and learning about their excellent efforts in the local community, and exploring together with Christian leaders how Jerusalem can be protected as a city holy to all.
