Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, Dr. Ramzi Khouri, held a series of meetings today with prominent church representatives in Bethlehem. Dr. Khoury was accompanied by committee members Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Amira Hanania, Jihad Khair, and Director of Public Relations and Media, Raed Hanania.
The delegation met with a number of senior clergy, including His Eminence Metropolitan Benedictos, Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Representative in Bethlehem; Father Asbed Balian, head of the Armenian Orthodox Monastery; and Father Rami Asakrieh, parish priest of the Latin Church of St. Catherine. The delegation also visited the Coptic Church, where they met with Sister Maria and Mother Esther.
The discussions focused on the pressing challenges facing the Christian presence in Palestine, particularly amid ongoing political instability, economic hardship, and Israel’s continued war of extermination on Gaza. Now entering its nineteenth month, the Israeli assault has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and left widespread devastation, including to vital infrastructure, institutions, and hospitals.
Dr. Khouri praised the unified voice of the churches in calling on the international community to act urgently to end the aggression and protect the Palestinian people. He warned of systematic Israeli efforts aimed at erasing the Christian presence from the Holy Land and stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the Committee and the churches to safeguard this historical and spiritual heritage. Dr. Khouri reaffirmed the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to supporting churches and their institutions in serving the broader community.
In a separate meeting, the Committee delegation visited Bethlehem Bible College and met with its President, Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, and the administrative team. The two sides discussed avenues for cooperation, especially in promoting academic and international efforts to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and amplify the voices of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Church representatives expressed deep sorrow over the somber Easter season, marked by continued suffering across Palestine. They offered prayers for the wounded and those in pain, and voiced hope for a future of justice and peace. The leaders also commended the Higher Presidential Committee for its role in supporting the steadfastness of local churches and preserving the Christian presence in the homeland.
