President of the State Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal hosted, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, together with the Director-General of the Ministry of Interior Yisrael Ozana, the heads of the Christian communities for the traditional New Year’s event.
In his remarks to the heads of the communities, the President of the State said, among other things: “Our hearts go out to the citizens in Iran who are bravely marching for their freedom, and fighting against the cruel oppression of a regime that is the root of much evil in the world.”
The President of the State emphasized the State of Israel’s commitment to preserving freedom of religion and worship, to protecting the holy sites of all religions, and to a determined struggle against any manifestation of violence, incitement, or harm to clergy and believers, as well as the importance of the existence and prosperity of Christian communities as an integral part of the social fabric in Israel. The President addressed the heads of the Christian community and said: “Your communities are a blessing to the State of Israel, and add richness, texture, and depth to our beautiful human mosaic. We are committed to ensuring that Christian communities can continue to grow and flourish, with full freedom of religion and worship. This is not just a matter of policy; it stems from the depth of our identity as a Jewish and democratic state.”
The Director-General of the Ministry of Interior, Yisrael Ozana, said: “I wish to express my deep appreciation for your work for tolerance, coexistence, and love of the other. In days when society needs stability, your spiritual leadership serves as a bridge for dialogue and promotes values of mutual respect and de-escalation of violence. While antisemitism is rampant in the world, I see religious leaders as a moderating and peace-promoting factor, and I urge you to carry the banner of brotherhood throughout the world. Your voice is a voice of moderation, and we see you as key partners in shared life. The State of Israel and the Ministry of Interior will continue to work to strengthen your status, and the Ministry’s doors are open to you out of a commitment to partnership and building a shared future.”
Representatives of the Ministry of Interior participated in the event, including representatives of the Administration for Special Tasks, the Director of the Administration Lior Shahar, as well as the Senior Director for Non-Jewish Communities, Col. (Res.) Iyad Sarhan, who accompany the religious communities and work to strengthen the connection and ongoing dialogue with them.
Patriarch Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, said: “Mr. President, your commitment to peace and the welfare of all inhabitants of the Holy Land and the State of Israel is well known and recognized. We wish to assure you that the Patriarch and the heads of the churches, convening on this special occasion, continue to stand firm in our spiritual mission to serve as messengers of peace and reconciliation, and to cooperate with you and with all who prioritize the blessing of peace and reconciliation above all else, while promoting our shared scriptural values, and in our struggle against all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia.”
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