President Herzog condemns ‘extreme and unacceptable’ attacks on Christians

President Isaac Herzog has condemned the recent string of violent attacks on Christians in Israel, calling it an “extreme and unacceptable” phenomenon.

Herzog visited the Stella Maris Monastery in Haifa, accompanied by leaders from various Christian denominations and communities in the Holy Land, where he spoke out against the rising number of attacks against Christians across the country.

“In recent months we have seen very serious phenomena towards the Christian denominations in the Holy Land. Our brothers and sisters, Christian citizens, who feel attacked in their places of prayer, in their cemeteries, on the streets,” Herzog said.

“I view this phenomenon as extreme and unacceptable in any shape or form. This phenomenon needs to be uprooted, and I am very grateful to the Israel Police and the law enforcement agencies for taking this issue seriously,” he added.

Israel has been criticised in recent months for failing to protect Christians, in particular in East Jerusalem, where numerous attacks have been documented and reported to police.

“We are committed to the story of the Christian denominations in the Holy Land, a special and unique story which has inspired people around the world – and not without reason, because here in the Holy Land the three great monotheistic religions emerged and we must do everything so that the common life continues together,” Herzog said.

“I come here on behalf of the entire State and people of Israel to reinforce our commitment to the full protection of freedom of religion and worship in the State of Israel,” the president concluded.

Abbot of Stella Maris, Father Jean Joseph Bergara, stressed the need to encourage “dialogue, our solidarity and our brotherhood, because we belong to the same country and live in the same places.”

“We want to live together in peace and harmony. Thank you for your cooperation and support. We are all children of the same G-d,” he added.