Statement by Church Related Organizations (CROs) and Church Institutions

We Palestinian Arab Christians of the East have for centuries lived together and in unity with our Muslim brothers and sisters, with whom we share the same land and the same destiny. Our co-existence has been a model to others, and together we have been able to overcome various challenges that threatened our unity. We have stood firm in the face of all those who have tried to destroy our national unity.

Based on these facts we affirm that:

• Any offence against religious symbols or holy places will, inevitably, cause harm to our national unity which is the safeguard of our continued existence on our land and in our country. Any such offensive behavior can also cause harm to the Palestinian people as a whole and to our National Authority which is responsible for the protection of our Christian and Muslim holy places.

• We are perplexed and regret His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI’s use of the quotation that hurt our Muslim brothers and sisters and our fellow citizens in the Holy Land and around the world.

• We regret and strongly condemn the attacks on several churches and Christian organizations in Palestine. These unjustified attacks endeavor to harm the distinctive national unity among Christians and Muslims across generations. Such attacks are bound to be taken advantage of by opportunists who claim that Christian holy places will be unsafe in a Palestinian state.

• We therefore call upon the various sectors of our community to act prudently and be alert in order to thwart the endeavors of such opportunists. We also call upon the Palestinian National Authority to make every effort and to undertake all necessary measures that will prevent such attacks in the future. We hope that our call will reach all those who care about the wellbeing of all the Palestinian people.

• We also call upon the media in all its forms to abstain from stirring people’s religious sensitivities, creating strife and endorsing accusations and threats.

Finally, we pray to God for strength to overcome the occupation and all obstacles in the way of our people, so that together we can achieve peace, freedom and understanding among different faiths, and respect for the dignity and faith of every person.

The Arab Orthodox Club- Jerusalem Sabeel Liberation Theology Center

The National Christian Association The East Jerusalem YMCA

The Arab Catholic Scout Group The YWCA of Palestine

Council of Orthodox Charities in Palestine The Laity Committee in the Holy Land

The Arab Orthodox Community of Jerusalem The Syrian Orthodox Organizations & Institutions