At the conference held as stated (Monday) on the 22nd of Shevat 5786, 9.2.2026, participants included MK Sharon Haskel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director-General of the Ministry of Interior Israel Ozen, religious leaders in Israel, including Rabbi Kalman Bar Shlit”a, Chief Rabbi of Israel, member of the Chief Rabbinate Council Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weiss, the spiritual leader of the Druze community and Chairman of the Supreme Druze Religious Council Sheikh Mufak Tarif, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the head of the Greek Catholic Church, the Qadi of the Sharia Court of Appeals Dr. Iyad Zahalqa, Archbishop Joseph Matta, head of the Greek Catholic Church in Israel, Archbishop Hosam Naoum, head of the Anglican Church in Israel, representatives of the Custodia and the Armenian Patriarch, the Coptic Church, led by Lior Shahar, Director of the Administration for Special Functions at the Ministry of Interior, and Iyad Sarhan, Senior Director of Religious Communities at the Ministry of Interior, representatives of the communities, and other dignitaries.
During the conference, round tables and discussions were held on the issue of polarization in the country, its effects, and ways to deal with these issues. The leaders presented the conclusions of the discussions and noted the importance of gathering together to utilize the power they hold and influence public opinion in Israel, not only through statements but also through actions, by promoting initiatives and activities to strengthen peace, brotherhood, and unity in the country.
Director-General of the Ministry of Interior Israel Ozen: “The religious and community leaders in Israel have a central role and significant influence in promoting values of unity, tolerance, peace, and shared life. Meetings between religious leaders, based on open and respectful dialogue, are an important building block in strengthening social cohesion and building a more unified and healthy society. We will continue to strengthen this area in the Ministry of Interior by promoting meetings, dialogue, and cooperation, with the understanding that religious leaders are key partners in shared responsibility and in preserving the fabric of shared life in Israel.”
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, MK Sharren Haskel: “Israel will continue to be the protector of religious freedom. Not all of this is easy – but because it is right. The Holy Land must remain a place where every believer feels safe. Our future must be built on a deep understanding that diversity is a source of strength. Faith must be the force that pushes us towards peace, not the excuse for war.”
Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar: “This gathering of ours here as religious leaders is important both practically and declaratively. Judaism is a religion of peace, especially when it concerns other religions, and therefore we must continue to work towards bringing people closer, eradicating evil, and fighting it in order to promote good and peace for all inhabitants of the country.”
Sheikh Mufak Tarif, Spiritual Leader of the Druze Community and Chairman of the Supreme Druze Religious Council: “The beautiful Israeli mosaic is revealed at the conference of religious leaders in the Galilee. We must expand the common ground between all religions and convey a unified message to the public in Israel and to the entire world. Differences between religions cannot be a reason to harm another. Religion must not be used to deny someone else’s rights anywhere and at any time. Just as religions connect man to his Creator, they should also connect man to man.”
Qadi of the Sharia Court of Appeals Dr. Iyad Zahalqa: “Religious leaders must act to eradicate violence and crime in general, and in Arab society in particular, and call for tolerance towards others.”
Lior Shahar, Director of the Administration for Special Functions: “Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us?” This verse from the Book of Malachi (2:10) – this meeting, attended by religious leaders in Israel, expresses the idea of brotherhood and unity originating from one God. The Ministry of Interior, together with religious and community leaders, is leading interfaith connection in the State of Israel, for the purpose of bringing hearts closer, development, and prosperity for all residents of Israel.
Senior Director of Religious Communities, Mr. Iyad Sarhan: “At a time of deep polarization in Israeli society, the Council of Religious Leaders proves that faith can build bridges: ‘We choose dialogue over hatred, brotherhood over exclusion, and shared life over violence – because our future depends on our ability to live together with mutual respect. I wish to express deep appreciation and sincere thanks to the religious leaders for their responsible leadership and ongoing commitment to the unity of Israeli society. The Department of Religious Communities at the Ministry of Interior will continue to work in full partnership with religious leaders, to strengthen ties, deepen dialogue, and build together a future of shared life.”
Also speaking were the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who addressed all the tribes living together in Israel and their cooperation in promoting brotherhood and peace; Sheikh Nader Haib, Chairman of the Imams’ Union; Emir Ahmadi Sheikh Muhammad Sharif; and Muhammad Jabran, Director of the Muslim Affairs Department in the Religious Communities Department at the Ministry, who clarified in his remarks that the struggle is a shared responsibility and that education for listening and tolerance begins at home, within the community itself.
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