Frank Okon

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has expressed concern over the growing number of young Christian families leaving Israel, warning that insecurity and instability are driving communities away from the Holy Land.

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Speaking at his annual Christmas and New Year reception for leaders of Israel’s Christian denominations, Herzog stressed that Christians are an integral part of the country and must feel safe and welcome.

“This is their home as it is my home, as it is our home,” Herzog told faith leaders and community representatives. He said ensuring security and peace for all religious communities is essential to Israel’s future.

The president pointed to the Abraham Accords as a framework for peace and shared prosperity, describing them as a model for coexistence among “all the children of Abraham and all the children of God.” He added that religious leaders have a vital role in promoting reconciliation across the region.

Herzog also referred to unrest in Iran, saying that Israelis’ “hearts go out to the Iranian people,” and thanked Christians around the world for their continued support of Israel and their role in shaping a better future.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, who heads the Council of Churches in the Holy Land, said Christian leaders were encouraged by the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and prayed it would lead to a lasting peace.

He said such a peace must “heal the wounds of the seventh of October and of the war in Gaza.”

Theophilos highlighted the role of Christian institutions in providing humanitarian assistance, particularly to children, women, the elderly, and the wounded. He pointed specifically to Gazan children with cancer receiving treatment at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem.

Turning to conditions closer to home, Theophilos warned of growing challenges in the West Bank and Jerusalem, citing rising hostility from radical groups.

“The rise and increasing hostility of radical groups in the West Bank and in Jerusalem are a real challenge,” he said. “Effective ways must be found to ensure the well-being of communities that must live side by side in respect and safety.”

He also raised concerns about crime and violence affecting northern Israeli communities, calling it a serious threat that must not be ignored.

In closing, Theophilos assured Herzog that church leaders remain committed to their spiritual mission as messengers of peace and reconciliation, and pledged cooperation with Israeli authorities in combating antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Herzog and Yehuda Avidan, director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to preserving and protecting holy sites and guaranteeing freedom of worship for all faiths.