Holy Land: Patriarchate calls for international protection of holy sites

Image: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem/ ICN

Two radical Israeli men entered the Church of Gethsemane in East Jerusalem during prayers this morning, (19 March). The pair attempted to deface items in the church and physically attacked a bishop and two priests who were taking part in the service.

The men were safely caught and held by others in the church. In response to this event the Patriarch issued the following statement:

"The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, represented by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, along the Holy Synod and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, the clergy and the faithful, condemn the heinous terrorist attack that took place this morning during the Sunday service, at the hands of two Israeli radicals, which targeted the Church of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, where the Tomb of the Virgin Mary lies. The Patriarchate also denounces the attempt to cause physical harm to Archbishop Joachim, who was leading the service, as well as the attack on one of the priests in the church.

The Patriarchate deplores this atrocious crime, which came at the time of Lent preparations for the Easter celebrations and its traditional rituals, especially Holy Light Saturday, which has become a marker of seasonal suffering for Christians as a result of physical restrictions imposed by the authorities to prevent them from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to exercise their God-given right to worship.

The Patriarchate also emphasises that terrorist attacks, by radical Israeli groups, targeting churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties, in addition to physical and verbal abuse against Christian clergy, have become almost a daily occurrence that evidently increases in intensity during Christian holidays. This dismal situation hasn't drawn any appropriate reaction, locally or internationally, despite appeals, requests, and protests made by the Churches of the Holy Land. It is painfully clear now that the authentic Christian presence in the Holy Land is in great danger.

The Patriarchate affirms that attacks on Christian holy sites, properties, heritage, and identity constitute a violation of international law, which explicitly calls for the protection of religious sites in Jerusalem and emphasises the need to respect this basic human right to worship freely.

The Patriarchate points out that Jerusalem is a city extremely important for all Christians since the time of Jesus Christ. The Holy City is a witness to the most significant events in Christian history, that are deeply rooted in the Christian faith. These facts reinforce Christian connection and attachment to this city, which we as Christians, our churches, holy sites and heritage constitute an essential component of its diverse history, present, and future.

This attack on the Church of the Tomb of Virgin Mary in Jerusalem is an atrocious terrorist crime that cannot be justified under any circumstances. The Patriarchate calls upon the international community to intervene immediately to provide security and protection to the Christians of Jerusalem and their holy places, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which are being subjected to deplorable forms of violations and attacks at the hands of radical Israeli organisations.

The Patriarchate further demands that the necessary legal measures be taken against all those involved in terrorist crimes against any holy site."

The attempted attack came after two Israeli radicals defaced a Christian cemetery in East Jerusalem on New Year's Day. The attackers toppled tombstones and smashed crosses located at the Protestant cemetery.

"It really grieves us to see what happened over the New Year holiday when we discovered that more than 30 tombstones and crosses were smashed to pieces by at least two Jewish extremists.... I ask for action to be taken; the perpetrators brought to the law and be a lesson for others."Anglican bishop Husam Naoum said at the time.

The bishop attributed the attack to increased hate speech within Israeli society.

Both Christian and Muslim holy places have come under attack many times recently. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most-sacred Muslim place in Palestine, has been raided by settlers on many occasions. Israeli forces have stood by as Palestinians prayed - in violation of the longstanding status quo arrangement in place there.

Violence against Palestinians at the compound often escalates during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which this year will begin on Wednesday, 22 March 2023.