15 may 2016
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For the second time, the “Hassan Bek” mosque in Jaffa, was defaced on Saturday at dawn with racist graffiti written in Hebrew, similar to dozens of previous incidents that targeted mosques and churches, with slogans such as “Death to Arabs”, “Revenge,” and “Kahane was right.”
The graffiti defaced the western walls of the mosque; the attack is not the first against this mosque, as it was previously defaced with similar graffiti, in addition to being subject to various attacks, including throwing stones at its windows, and raising the Israeli flag on it, similar to what happened last month, on April 13. “We were not surprised by this attack; Zionist groups have been attacking it, calling for its removal, in the open, and the Police never took the issue seriously,” the Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Ahmad ‘Ajwa said, “Such violations escalated in recent weeks, and they all take place usually at dawn – the police don’t even have to work hard to catch the perpetrators if they intended to.” |
“But we fear further escalation, such as attacking the worshipers themselves, God forbid – We call on all nongovernmental organization to take an active part in preventing such attacks,” ‘Ajwa added, “We all need to be effectively involved in protecting the mosque, protecting holy sites, and we need to take all needed precautions.”
The attack is part of a series of very serious attacks targeting several churches and mosques in different parts of the country, including attacks targeting Christian and Islamic cemeteries.
On June 18, 2015, Israeli extremists set on fire the Church of the Multiplication, where Christians believe that Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes, and wrote graffiti in Hebrew on the walls that read, ‘False idols will be smashed’ and ‘Pagans’.
The fire was set at about 3 am in the early hours of Thursday morning, severely damaging church offices and storage rooms. The entire church was saturated with smoke damage. In addition, Hebrew graffiti was spray-painted all over the front entrance to the church reading ‘Pagans’ in red paint.
On February 26, 2015, a group of Israeli fanatics burnt a section of the Church of the Dormition, in occupied Jerusalem, causing significant damage, and wrote racist anti-Christian graffiti. The fanatics burnt a study room belonging to the Church, a bathing room, and toilet rooms, used by priests, and students of Christian Studies.
On February 25, 2015, a group of Israeli extremists burnt a mosque in the al-Jab’a village, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and wrote racist anti-Arab and anti-Islamic graffiti.
On November 11, 2014, a number of fanatic Israeli settlers infiltrated into the al-Mogheer village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, set its mosque on fire, and wrote racist graffiti.
On June 19, 2012, A number of extremist Israeli settlers burnt a local mosque in Jaba’ Palestinian village, in occupied East Jerusalem, and defaced some of its walls.
The attack is part of a series of very serious attacks targeting several churches and mosques in different parts of the country, including attacks targeting Christian and Islamic cemeteries.
On June 18, 2015, Israeli extremists set on fire the Church of the Multiplication, where Christians believe that Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes, and wrote graffiti in Hebrew on the walls that read, ‘False idols will be smashed’ and ‘Pagans’.
The fire was set at about 3 am in the early hours of Thursday morning, severely damaging church offices and storage rooms. The entire church was saturated with smoke damage. In addition, Hebrew graffiti was spray-painted all over the front entrance to the church reading ‘Pagans’ in red paint.
On February 26, 2015, a group of Israeli fanatics burnt a section of the Church of the Dormition, in occupied Jerusalem, causing significant damage, and wrote racist anti-Christian graffiti. The fanatics burnt a study room belonging to the Church, a bathing room, and toilet rooms, used by priests, and students of Christian Studies.
On February 25, 2015, a group of Israeli extremists burnt a mosque in the al-Jab’a village, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and wrote racist anti-Arab and anti-Islamic graffiti.
On November 11, 2014, a number of fanatic Israeli settlers infiltrated into the al-Mogheer village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, set its mosque on fire, and wrote racist graffiti.
On June 19, 2012, A number of extremist Israeli settlers burnt a local mosque in Jaba’ Palestinian village, in occupied East Jerusalem, and defaced some of its walls.
30 apr 2016
Orthodox Christian Palestinians marked Holy Saturday across the occupied Palestinian territory on Saturday, with thousands of pilgrims attending the "Holy Fire" ceremony in East Jerusalem's Old City on the eve of Orthodox Easter.
The ceremony, celebrated by Palestinian Christians across the Holy Land, takes place each year on "Holy Saturday," or "Saturday of Light" in Arabic, marking the day following Good Friday, when Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, and the day before Easter, which marks his resurrection from the grave.
Palestinian Christians as well as Eastern Orthodox Christians from around the world believe that on the Saturday between these two holidays, a divine fire from heaven appears above his tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Believers hold that this fire ignites candles held by the Greek Orthodox patriarch, in an annual rite dating back to the 4th century that symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.
Every year, thousands gather in Jerusalem's Old City to welcome the fire, which is subsequently brought to churches in Palestinian towns and villages throughout the Holy Land.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the public on Saturday, expressing his commitment to defend the Christian population in Palestine while emphasizing the importance of ending Israel’s occupation.
“Defending the Christian presence in Palestine and the Eastern World is our duty and we won’t hesitate to defend the unity and diversity of our peoples,” the president said in a message published by Wafa news agency to congratulate Christians on the occasion of Easter.
President Abbas addressed Armenians, Assyrians, Copts, Ethiopians, and “all believers” in his message, while expressing his hopes for the end of the now decades-long military occupation.
“As we celebrate the resurrection holiday this year, we continue to believe in the justness of our cause and to hope that the Palestinian people will eventually be freed from the arrogance of occupation so they can enjoy dignity, freedom, and peace of mind on our homeland and holy places.”
Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said in a statement that Holy Saturday celebrations in occupied East Jerusalem ended peacefully around noon, with no security issues reported.
Representing a small minority of the Palestinian population, Christians in Palestine are a prominent part of social and political life, and have positioned themselves in the center of the resistance against Israeli occupation and the construction of the separation wall.
The ceremony, celebrated by Palestinian Christians across the Holy Land, takes place each year on "Holy Saturday," or "Saturday of Light" in Arabic, marking the day following Good Friday, when Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, and the day before Easter, which marks his resurrection from the grave.
Palestinian Christians as well as Eastern Orthodox Christians from around the world believe that on the Saturday between these two holidays, a divine fire from heaven appears above his tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Believers hold that this fire ignites candles held by the Greek Orthodox patriarch, in an annual rite dating back to the 4th century that symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.
Every year, thousands gather in Jerusalem's Old City to welcome the fire, which is subsequently brought to churches in Palestinian towns and villages throughout the Holy Land.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the public on Saturday, expressing his commitment to defend the Christian population in Palestine while emphasizing the importance of ending Israel’s occupation.
“Defending the Christian presence in Palestine and the Eastern World is our duty and we won’t hesitate to defend the unity and diversity of our peoples,” the president said in a message published by Wafa news agency to congratulate Christians on the occasion of Easter.
President Abbas addressed Armenians, Assyrians, Copts, Ethiopians, and “all believers” in his message, while expressing his hopes for the end of the now decades-long military occupation.
“As we celebrate the resurrection holiday this year, we continue to believe in the justness of our cause and to hope that the Palestinian people will eventually be freed from the arrogance of occupation so they can enjoy dignity, freedom, and peace of mind on our homeland and holy places.”
Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said in a statement that Holy Saturday celebrations in occupied East Jerusalem ended peacefully around noon, with no security issues reported.
Representing a small minority of the Palestinian population, Christians in Palestine are a prominent part of social and political life, and have positioned themselves in the center of the resistance against Israeli occupation and the construction of the separation wall.
29 apr 2016
Thousands of Egyptian Copts traveled to the Occupied Palestinian territories on board Air Sinai flights, years after the Egyptian Church had banned travel to the territories occupied by Israel.
The Air Sinai Company said in press statements a total of 30 flights headed to the occupied Palestinian territories from April 21 to April 28.
It added that 5,678 Egyptian Copts were transferred to the occupied territories during Christian holidays. A security source at the Cairo Airport said on April 22 some 1,600 passengers traveled to Occupied Jerusalem on board flights by Air Sinai and the Jordanian Airlines.
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper on Thursday said around 6,000 Coptic pilgrims arrived in Tel Aviv to celebrate the Holy Saturday at the Holy Sepulcher in Occupied Jerusalem.
Haaretz said the number of Egyptian pilgrims to Occupied Jerusalem has seen a remarkable surge over recent years. Observers said such a “Coptic scramble” for the territories occupied by Israel dates back to a visit made by Pope of Alexandria Tawadros II in November 2015, in a move that sparked the rage of anti-Israel Egyptians.
Protests made at the time forced the Egyptian Church to affirm that the ban on Copts’ travel to Occupied Jerusalem was not lifted.
Earlier, on Saturday, two Israeli fighter jets intercepted an Air Sinai jetliner from Egypt, allegedly after the pilot failed to identify before entering Israeli airspace. The Israeli jets accompanied the Egyptian aircraft until it landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport.
The Air Sinai Company said in press statements a total of 30 flights headed to the occupied Palestinian territories from April 21 to April 28.
It added that 5,678 Egyptian Copts were transferred to the occupied territories during Christian holidays. A security source at the Cairo Airport said on April 22 some 1,600 passengers traveled to Occupied Jerusalem on board flights by Air Sinai and the Jordanian Airlines.
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper on Thursday said around 6,000 Coptic pilgrims arrived in Tel Aviv to celebrate the Holy Saturday at the Holy Sepulcher in Occupied Jerusalem.
Haaretz said the number of Egyptian pilgrims to Occupied Jerusalem has seen a remarkable surge over recent years. Observers said such a “Coptic scramble” for the territories occupied by Israel dates back to a visit made by Pope of Alexandria Tawadros II in November 2015, in a move that sparked the rage of anti-Israel Egyptians.
Protests made at the time forced the Egyptian Church to affirm that the ban on Copts’ travel to Occupied Jerusalem was not lifted.
Earlier, on Saturday, two Israeli fighter jets intercepted an Air Sinai jetliner from Egypt, allegedly after the pilot failed to identify before entering Israeli airspace. The Israeli jets accompanied the Egyptian aircraft until it landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport.
15 apr 2016
Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia Archbishop Atallah Hanna said “Occupied Jerusalem is the symbol of the unity of Christians and Muslims before God and all peoples on Earth”.
In his speech during the opening of civilizations and cultures conference hosted by Czech capital Prague on Thursday and organized by the embassies of Islamic cooperation states, Hanna stressed the spiritual and religious value of the city of Jerusalem.
He affirmed that Jerusalem represents the Christian and Muslim brotherhood among the Arab nation in general and the Palestinian people in particular.
"Palestinian Christians are biased to the justice of the Palestinian Question since they constitute an essential part of the Palestinian people" he said.
In his speech during the opening of civilizations and cultures conference hosted by Czech capital Prague on Thursday and organized by the embassies of Islamic cooperation states, Hanna stressed the spiritual and religious value of the city of Jerusalem.
He affirmed that Jerusalem represents the Christian and Muslim brotherhood among the Arab nation in general and the Palestinian people in particular.
"Palestinian Christians are biased to the justice of the Palestinian Question since they constitute an essential part of the Palestinian people" he said.
10 apr 2016
A horde of fanatic Jewish settlers on Sunday morning spray-painted anti-Arab graffiti on the walls of a Palestinian Church in Safed city.
As always, the Israeli police claimed they launched an investigation into the incident to arrest the perpetrators, although similar incidents have previously taken place in the city without arresting anyone.
The Palestinian students studying at Safed College are constantly exposed to racist harassment by Jewish extremists and face a problem in finding housing units as a result of religious orders issued by rabbis prohibiting Jews from renting apartments to Arabs.
As always, the Israeli police claimed they launched an investigation into the incident to arrest the perpetrators, although similar incidents have previously taken place in the city without arresting anyone.
The Palestinian students studying at Safed College are constantly exposed to racist harassment by Jewish extremists and face a problem in finding housing units as a result of religious orders issued by rabbis prohibiting Jews from renting apartments to Arabs.
6 apr 2016
Archbishop Atallah Hanna slammed Tuesday the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) for publishing a guiding brochure of Occupied Jerusalem that hides Islamic and Christian holy sites.
Hanna said in a press statement the brochure includes a fake map that casts a shadow on the city’s Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The archbishop urged national institutions, Christian and Islamic, to both reveal and preserve the city’s original historical identity.
“Since the occupation of Jerusalem, Israel has been falsifying history and facts on the ground, a policy that has seen a striking surge over recent times,” Hanna warned.
He called on the tourists and pilgrims who visit the holy occupied city of Jerusalem to brush aside such erroneous brochures. “Israel has been pursuing a policy that aims to transform the anti-occupation conflict in Occupied Jerusalem into a religious one,” Hanna further noted.
“We, Jerusalemites, shall never ever surrender to such a newly-imposed fait accompli. The Israeli occupation is malevolently taking advantage of Arabs’ preoccupation with regional unrest in favor of its sacrilegious schemes in Occupied Jerusalem,” the Archbishop concluded.
Hanna said in a press statement the brochure includes a fake map that casts a shadow on the city’s Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The archbishop urged national institutions, Christian and Islamic, to both reveal and preserve the city’s original historical identity.
“Since the occupation of Jerusalem, Israel has been falsifying history and facts on the ground, a policy that has seen a striking surge over recent times,” Hanna warned.
He called on the tourists and pilgrims who visit the holy occupied city of Jerusalem to brush aside such erroneous brochures. “Israel has been pursuing a policy that aims to transform the anti-occupation conflict in Occupied Jerusalem into a religious one,” Hanna further noted.
“We, Jerusalemites, shall never ever surrender to such a newly-imposed fait accompli. The Israeli occupation is malevolently taking advantage of Arabs’ preoccupation with regional unrest in favor of its sacrilegious schemes in Occupied Jerusalem,” the Archbishop concluded.
25 mar 2016
Christian Palestinians and pilgrims from around the world marked Good Friday, today, by holding a procession on Via Dolorosa, in the historic Old City of annexed East Jerusalem.
Security was tight as thousands of worshipers, some bearing wooden crosses, walked through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where they believe Jesus was crucified and buried before rising from the dead, three days later.
Jerusalem traditionally hosts large celebrations during the week leading up to the Easter holiday, most notably on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Last week, 850 Christian Palestinians of different ages from the Gaza Strip received permits from Israeli authorities to celebrate Easter in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
This is the first time such a large number of Christians from Gaza received permits to travel to the West Bank and Jerusalem, Muhammad al-Maqadma, a public information officer for the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs told Ma’an News Agency last week.
East Jerusalem, including the historic Old City, was occupied by Israeli forces in 1967 and later annexed, in a move not recognized by the international community.
In past years, Christian celebrations in Jerusalem during the week leading up to Easter have been subjected to stringent Israeli security measures, with increased numbers of checkpoints and military closures around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Israeli restrictions on Palestinian Christian worship during the holiday has in the past prevented thousands of Christian Palestinians from traveling to Jerusalem and has led to chaotic scenes in the city itself.
Security was tight as thousands of worshipers, some bearing wooden crosses, walked through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where they believe Jesus was crucified and buried before rising from the dead, three days later.
Jerusalem traditionally hosts large celebrations during the week leading up to the Easter holiday, most notably on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Last week, 850 Christian Palestinians of different ages from the Gaza Strip received permits from Israeli authorities to celebrate Easter in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
This is the first time such a large number of Christians from Gaza received permits to travel to the West Bank and Jerusalem, Muhammad al-Maqadma, a public information officer for the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs told Ma’an News Agency last week.
East Jerusalem, including the historic Old City, was occupied by Israeli forces in 1967 and later annexed, in a move not recognized by the international community.
In past years, Christian celebrations in Jerusalem during the week leading up to Easter have been subjected to stringent Israeli security measures, with increased numbers of checkpoints and military closures around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Israeli restrictions on Palestinian Christian worship during the holiday has in the past prevented thousands of Christian Palestinians from traveling to Jerusalem and has led to chaotic scenes in the city itself.
20 feb 2016
A valuable iconic painting was found during renovations of the Nativity Church in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, a Palestinian official said on Saturday.
Ziad al-Bandak, a Palestinian presidential advisor for Christian Affairs, told Ma’an on Saturday that an icon of great religious and historical value made of gold, brass, silver, shells and stones was found about two months ago. Photographs of the icon were not yet available.
Al-Bandak, who chairs a committee in charge of the renovation process, highlighted that the Nativity Church, built where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born, had not undergone major renovation in centuries.
The renovation project, done in collaboration between Palestinian and foreign archeologists, came to protect and uncover the historic and religious “treasures” still hidden inside the church.
Ziad al-Bandak, a Palestinian presidential advisor for Christian Affairs, told Ma’an on Saturday that an icon of great religious and historical value made of gold, brass, silver, shells and stones was found about two months ago. Photographs of the icon were not yet available.
Al-Bandak, who chairs a committee in charge of the renovation process, highlighted that the Nativity Church, built where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born, had not undergone major renovation in centuries.
The renovation project, done in collaboration between Palestinian and foreign archeologists, came to protect and uncover the historic and religious “treasures” still hidden inside the church.
“The removal of centuries of dust has left mosaics sparkling in the sunlight filtering through brand new windows,” al-Bandak said. “Structural repairs on the fragile rooftop and windows have been completed and artistic treasures have been returned to their delicate elegance.”
He added that a new icon painting was discovered near a window under plaster, and that it had been repaired and made visible.
The Nativity Church, one of the major tourist and religious attractions in Bethlehem, has been under renovation since 2013. However, Bethlehem’s tourism has been severely affected by the rise in tensions since October, in which nearly 180 Palestinians and more than 25 Israelis have been killed.
He added that a new icon painting was discovered near a window under plaster, and that it had been repaired and made visible.
The Nativity Church, one of the major tourist and religious attractions in Bethlehem, has been under renovation since 2013. However, Bethlehem’s tourism has been severely affected by the rise in tensions since October, in which nearly 180 Palestinians and more than 25 Israelis have been killed.
16 feb 2016
Father Manuel Musallam, member of the Islamic Christian Authority for Patronizing Jerusalem and Holy Places, has urged the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip to continue building tunnels, describing it as a national duty.
"You, 'the resistance fighter,' cannot rest or sleep in the bed as long as there are all these tragedies in Palestine, so dig the trench and move forward,"
Father Musallam said in an video recorded interview conducted by the Palestinian Information Center (PIC). The PIC has released part of the exclusive interview it conducted with Father Musallam, who spoke directly to the heroes of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza as he described them.
The interview will be fully available in Arabic on the website later.
"You, 'the resistance fighter,' cannot rest or sleep in the bed as long as there are all these tragedies in Palestine, so dig the trench and move forward,"
Father Musallam said in an video recorded interview conducted by the Palestinian Information Center (PIC). The PIC has released part of the exclusive interview it conducted with Father Musallam, who spoke directly to the heroes of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza as he described them.
The interview will be fully available in Arabic on the website later.
10 feb 2016
Fr Manuel Hanna Musallam, priest of the Latin Church in Palestine, said he will be fasting for three days in solidarity with journalist Muhammad al-Qeiq, whose hunger strike has entered its 78th day.
Speaking in an exclusive statement to the PIC, Fr Musallam addressed al-Qeiq saying: “Dear hero your life is more precious to us than your death.”
Fr Musallam called on Muslims and Christians to fast and pray for al-Qeiq. “The world did not show sympathy for the oppressed Palestinian detainees. History shall curse and condemn all those who remained silent over Israel’s crimes and persecution of the Palestinian people,” the priest added.
He spoke out against the administrative detention policy pursued by the occupation authorities, saying: “Israel will be brought before international courts for its counterfeit condemnations of Palestinians.” “Your message has reached the entire world. Stop at death’s door but never cross it. We need you to teach our younger generations the true meaning of patience and resistance.
You forced the enemy to concede defeat. We would like you to live for Palestine,” he further told al-Qeiq. Fr Musallam also expressed his solidarity with the protesters, MPs, and anti-occupation activists held in Israeli lock-ups.
Speaking in an exclusive statement to the PIC, Fr Musallam addressed al-Qeiq saying: “Dear hero your life is more precious to us than your death.”
Fr Musallam called on Muslims and Christians to fast and pray for al-Qeiq. “The world did not show sympathy for the oppressed Palestinian detainees. History shall curse and condemn all those who remained silent over Israel’s crimes and persecution of the Palestinian people,” the priest added.
He spoke out against the administrative detention policy pursued by the occupation authorities, saying: “Israel will be brought before international courts for its counterfeit condemnations of Palestinians.” “Your message has reached the entire world. Stop at death’s door but never cross it. We need you to teach our younger generations the true meaning of patience and resistance.
You forced the enemy to concede defeat. We would like you to live for Palestine,” he further told al-Qeiq. Fr Musallam also expressed his solidarity with the protesters, MPs, and anti-occupation activists held in Israeli lock-ups.
7 feb 2016
Iroshalim Hebrew newspaper disclosed a new settlement project plan to be constructed over a land owned by a the Greek Orthodox Church in Abu Tour district in eastern occupied Jerusalem.
According to Friday's issue of the weekly newspaper, the plan includes luxurious settlement units overlooking the neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem in order to attract settlers.
Housing structures and a hotel with an area estimated at ten dunums will be constructed over the plot possessed by the church and was let to Jewish investors one hundred years ago.
About 400 residents signed a petition to object on changing that historic site and underlined that the area has no infrastructure. The plan is still in the first phase of construction, but coordination is going on with Israeli competent authorities, the newspaper stated.
Israeli forces tend to implement settlement projects in Occupied Jerusalem via investment companies and settlement institutions under different names in order to cover its real objectives of establishing new settlements.
Recently, deals with Christians have been made for selling or letting lands to Israeli settlement societies. Such deals sparked debates among the Christian figures who refuse the Israeli occupation and its aggressive practices.
According to Friday's issue of the weekly newspaper, the plan includes luxurious settlement units overlooking the neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem in order to attract settlers.
Housing structures and a hotel with an area estimated at ten dunums will be constructed over the plot possessed by the church and was let to Jewish investors one hundred years ago.
About 400 residents signed a petition to object on changing that historic site and underlined that the area has no infrastructure. The plan is still in the first phase of construction, but coordination is going on with Israeli competent authorities, the newspaper stated.
Israeli forces tend to implement settlement projects in Occupied Jerusalem via investment companies and settlement institutions under different names in order to cover its real objectives of establishing new settlements.
Recently, deals with Christians have been made for selling or letting lands to Israeli settlement societies. Such deals sparked debates among the Christian figures who refuse the Israeli occupation and its aggressive practices.
24 jan 2016
Christians are part and parcel of the Palestinian people and Arab nation and they will forever stand up for Palestinians’ right to freedom and independence, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Atallah Hanna, said.
Speaking in exclusive statements to the PIC, Archbishop Atallah Hanna highlighted the importance of national unity and religious fraternity between Muslims and Christians.
“We’re entirely on the side of the Palestinian people and its legitimate resistance. We, the Palestinian people, are one and the same. We’re all standing up for a single cause. Palestinians and Muslims in the occupied territories are members of the same family. Their hopes, aspirations, dreams, and concerns, are like peas in a pod, just as their sufferings, wounds, and pains are.”
He spoke out against the racist statements released by Israeli fanatics and extremist leaders, who have been inciting against Muslims and Christians.
“Racial incitements will only make Christians stronger. We shall forever cling to our deep-rootedness in our motherland and defend our holy sites,” he vowed.
Archbishop Hanna slammed the attempts carried out by Israeli Price Tag gangs to desecrate Christian cemeteries and monasteries.
“Such violations are racist, barbaric, and unethical. They are proofs of the blindness contaminating the perpetrators’ sight and insight,” he added.
The Archbishop hailed the anti-occupation Jerusalem Intifada, saying: “Palestinians have the right to stand up for their freedom, dignity, and independence.”
“Whoever probes into the history of postcolonial nations will soon find out that freedom has never been offered on a golden plate. There have always been sacrifices and struggles,” Archbishop Hanna concluded.
Speaking in exclusive statements to the PIC, Archbishop Atallah Hanna highlighted the importance of national unity and religious fraternity between Muslims and Christians.
“We’re entirely on the side of the Palestinian people and its legitimate resistance. We, the Palestinian people, are one and the same. We’re all standing up for a single cause. Palestinians and Muslims in the occupied territories are members of the same family. Their hopes, aspirations, dreams, and concerns, are like peas in a pod, just as their sufferings, wounds, and pains are.”
He spoke out against the racist statements released by Israeli fanatics and extremist leaders, who have been inciting against Muslims and Christians.
“Racial incitements will only make Christians stronger. We shall forever cling to our deep-rootedness in our motherland and defend our holy sites,” he vowed.
Archbishop Hanna slammed the attempts carried out by Israeli Price Tag gangs to desecrate Christian cemeteries and monasteries.
“Such violations are racist, barbaric, and unethical. They are proofs of the blindness contaminating the perpetrators’ sight and insight,” he added.
The Archbishop hailed the anti-occupation Jerusalem Intifada, saying: “Palestinians have the right to stand up for their freedom, dignity, and independence.”
“Whoever probes into the history of postcolonial nations will soon find out that freedom has never been offered on a golden plate. There have always been sacrifices and struggles,” Archbishop Hanna concluded.
22 jan 2016
A group of Israeli settlers attacked at dawn Friday the Latin cemetery in Nazareth city within the Green Line and sprayed racist graffiti in English on three graves.
Israeli police claimed that an investigation has been opened into the incident.
Settlers often carry out such "Price Tag" attacks on Islamic and Christian sites, most cases are either left unsolved or the perpetrators are never prosecuted.
The attack came as part of Israeli systematic aggressions targeting the Arab, Islamic and Christian presence in occupied Palestine.
Israeli police claimed that an investigation has been opened into the incident.
Settlers often carry out such "Price Tag" attacks on Islamic and Christian sites, most cases are either left unsolved or the perpetrators are never prosecuted.
The attack came as part of Israeli systematic aggressions targeting the Arab, Islamic and Christian presence in occupied Palestine.
