Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met with various church leaders and discussed the continuous persecution of Christians in the Middle East, Israel Today reports.
The meeting was held in President Rivlin’s residence as the world celebrated Easter. He was joined by the head of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and other Christian leaders.
“I say to you here, our Christian brothers of Jerusalem, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time,” said Rivlin.
The Israeli president cited the hardships minority Christians face in other countries. He promised the church leaders that Israel would “protect your freedom of worship, your security and the security of your holy sites.”
He denounced the Islamic State and other militant Muslims for terrorizing Egyptian Coptic Christians and attacking Christians in Syria.
“We have all seen the pictures from Syria; I visited some of the injured being treated in Israeli hospitals. What has happened there to the Christian community – and to the whole country – is a stain on all of humanity,” he lamented.
The Israeli president cited the hardships minority Christians face in other countries. He promised the church leaders that Israel would “protect your freedom of worship, your security and the security of your holy sites.”
Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa expressed gratitude to Rivlin’s statements, Breaking Israel News reports.
“We want to thank you for this sensibility towards the Christian presence in the holy city, and in Israel in general. We appreciate your solidarity and clear words towards Christians,” the cleric said.
Sources:
Israeltodaycoil. (2017). Israeltodaycoil. http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/31646/Default.aspx
Jns. (2017). Breaking Israel News | Latest News Biblical Perspective. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/86793/israeli-president-rivlin-calls-persecution-mideast-christians-stain-humanity/