Evening of testimony from Christians in the Holy Land brings heartfelt stories

As the Holy Land goes through one of the darkest periods in its history, the local Christian community feels abandoned by the international community. Faced with widespread destruction and forced displacement, the local churches have issued an appeal: to see reality as it is experienced, beyond diplomatic and media filters.

H.E. Ambassador Amira Hanania, member of the Presidential High Committee for Ecclesiastical Affairs (Palestine), expressed her appreciation for being able to speak at the gathering, and for the many ways in which she collaborates with the World Council of Churches.

She described the work of the Presidential High Committee for Ecclesiastical Affairs with the churches in Palestine, and the importance of empowering the churches. “Unfortunately, nowadays we are shrinking,” she said, speaking of the Christian presence in Palestine. “We are less than one percent of the population. The time for action—is now.”

Yusef Daher, coordinator of the WCC Liaison Office in Jerusalem, spoke of the deep historical divisions—and the current ones—in the Holy Land. “For the Palestinians, we have a weakened, divided leadership,” he said, but encouraged people to visit Palestine, and visit Jerusalem, to absorb the history and hear the local stories. “In the end, the only way out will be to coexist,” he said. “Only then can we speak of the new horizon we dream of.”

Iskandar Majlaton, local coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, began from a personal perspective about being born in Old City Jerusalem and being deeply tied to the area. 

Majlaton spoke of the ways in which Israeli settlements are encroaching, many times in violent ways.

“They do not want any Palestinian communities between these areas,” he said. 

Majlaton also outlined the work of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. “Challenges are many, however, we continue to do as much as we can,” he said, reflecting that accompaniers listen, document, and advocate for change.

The event was moderated by Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for Peacebuilding in the Middle East, and hosted by Rev. Alexandre Winter from the Protestant Church of Geneva. Music was performed by Manal Samaan.

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