Last Thursday evening, a group of intruders attempting to infiltrate the monastery and St. Elias Church in Haifa, Israel, were confronted by the city’s Christians. These acts of intrusion are believed to be linked to allegations made by a group of extremist Israelis that the Christian site contains the tomb of the Prophet Elisha. The church has vehemently denied these allegations, clarifying that the monastery’s tomb only contains the remains of priests and monks.
These attacks on Deir Mar Elias have drawn condemnation from the Justice and Peace Committee of the Council of Heads of Catholic Churches in the Holy Land. In a statement, the committee expressed its concern over the increasing number of attacks on Christian clergymen, as well as the vandalism of sacred sites and offensive writings by extremist settlers.
Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, recently named a cardinal by Pope Francis and serving as the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, has raised alarming concerns about the growing persecution faced by Christians in the Holy Land. He pointed out that the current Israeli administration, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has fostered a political climate in which acts of aggression against Christians are tolerated.
Pizzaballa further noted that these attacks have become more frequent, suggesting that the perpetrators feel protected and justified in their actions due to the cultural and political atmosphere. This ongoing persecution highlights the challenges faced by Christians in the Holy Land and calls for greater efforts to safeguard their safety and religious freedom.
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