President Isaac Herzog Hosts Christian Leaders in the Holy Land for New Year’s Celebration

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Monday, 12 January 2026 / 23 Tevet 5786

President Isaac Herzog Hosts Christian Leaders in the Holy Land for New Year’s Celebration

President Isaac Herzog hosted Christian leaders in the Holy Land for the traditional New Year’s reception at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. This marked the first time the annual reception has been held at full capacity since the beginning of the war.

In his remarks at the event, President Herzog expressed his pride in Israel‘s Christian communities and emphasized that the State of Israel will continue to protect the freedom of worship for people of all faiths and communities. President Herzog also conveyed his profound appreciation for Israel‘s Christian friends in the Middle East and across the world.

From the remarks by President Isaac Herzog:

“How beautiful it is to gather together in the Holy Land, whose hills bear witness to thousands of years of faith, prayer, and divine inspiration, and to hope together for a joyous, prosperous, and peaceful new year for us all.

“We meet at a fragile, yet promising moment for the Holy Land and the broader Middle East. At this important crossroads, the choice must be made between conflicting paths, conflicting trajectories, and conflicting visions for this region. Our hearts go out to the Iranian people bravely marching for their freedom as we speak—and being ruthlessly repressed by a regime that is the root of so much evil in the world. Our hope and prayer is that all women and men can enjoy the same precious liberty we are blessed with and live in peace and harmony, free from tyranny and oppression.

“Just a few months ago, I had the opportunity to meet His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, in Rome. We discussed then what I repeat here now, that it is the sacred obligation of all who believe to reject hatred, to affirm the divine image in each and every person, and to build bridges across religious and political divides. I also followed suit in a conversation with the Pope, just before Christmas, as he was in the Holy See. I believe that there is a real opportunity to advance and improve the relations between Israel and the Holy See in so many fields.

“My friends, your communities are a blessing to the State of Israel, adding richness, texture, and depth to our beautiful human tapestry. We are committed to ensuring that Christian communities can continue to grow and thrive, with full freedom of religion and worship. This is not merely a policy question—it flows from the very heart of our identity as a Jewish and democratic state. I want to state clearly: We will continue to safeguard the holy sites of all religions and to forcefully combat any disgraceful attempts to threaten, harass, or harm religious leaders, institutions, or worshippers.

“We also call for the protection of Christian communities across our region. No Christian, indeed no human being—in the Middle East, Africa, or anywhere in the world—should ever live in fear because of their faith.”

From the remarks of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem:

“We would like to take this opportunity to wish all those who call this land home the blessings of this holy season.”

“The Scriptures remind us that ‘blessed are the peacemakers,’ and this is the call for all people of good will, regardless of our religious affirmation. Mr. President, your commitment to peace and to the well-being of all the people of the Holy Land and Israel is well known. We assure you that the Patriarch and the heads of the churches at this special gathering also remain steadfast in our spiritual mission to be messengers of peace and reconciliation, and to cooperate with you and with all those who bless peace and reconciliation before all others, as you promote the values of our common scriptures, fighting against all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia.”