BRUSSELS, May 9, 2026 (WAFA) - A delegation from the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine warned European Union officials that the continuation of current Israeli policies in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank poses a grave threat to the survival of the historic Palestinian Christian presence in the Holy Land.
The high-level meeting, organized in cooperation with the Mission of the State of Palestine to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and with the support of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union, was held with representatives of the Mashreq/Maghreb Working Party (MaMa) of the Council of the European Union, in the presence of EU member state representatives and officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The delegation included Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Belgium, the European Union, and Luxembourg, Dr. Amal Jadou Shakaa, alongside members of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, Rev. Prof. Dr. Mitri Raheb and Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab, as well as First Secretary Alaa Jadallah and First Secretary Ibrahim Al-Tari.
The delegation delivered an extensive briefing on the escalating challenges confronting Palestinian Christians and the increasing threats facing their historic and indigenous presence in the Holy Land.
During the meeting, Rev. Prof. Dr. Mitri Raheb highlighted the dramatic decline in the Palestinian Christian population since the Nakba of 1948, noting that Christians constituted nearly 8% of the Palestinian population before 1948, compared to less than 1% today. He warned that the continuation of Israeli policies, particularly the ongoing war on Gaza, attacks in Jerusalem, and escalating pressures across the occupied West Bank, could lead to the disappearance of the Palestinian Christian presence within the coming decades.
Dr. Raheb also drew attention to the targeting of churches, Christian institutions, and educational facilities in Gaza, including the destruction of the Dar Al-Kalima University campus, as well as increasing assaults against clergy and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He stressed that inflammatory rhetoric by extremist figures within the Israeli government has contributed to a dangerous climate of incitement and impunity that encourages attacks against Palestinian Christians.
He emphasized that the issue extends beyond Palestinian Christians alone and concerns the future of religious and cultural pluralism in Palestine and the wider region. He called on the European Union to adopt clearer and more decisive positions in defense of international law, human rights, and accountability for ongoing violations, adding that protecting the Palestinian Christian presence is a moral, humanitarian, and international responsibility.
For his part, Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab addressed the harsh daily realities facing Palestinian Christians in the occupied West Bank, particularly amid escalating settler violence, severe movement restrictions, and increasing limitations on access to Jerusalem and Christian holy sites.
Rev. Diab also shared personal testimonies regarding attacks carried out against him and his family by Israeli settlers, stressing that such incidents are not isolated acts, but part of systematic policies aimed at intimidating Palestinians and forcing them from their land, particularly Palestinian Christians who remain an integral component of the Palestinian national identity.
He underscored that safeguarding the Palestinian Christian presence cannot be separated from ending the occupation and achieving a just peace based on international law and international legitimacy resolutions. Despite mounting challenges, he affirmed that Palestinian Christians remain steadfast in defending the values of justice, dignity, and freedom.
The meeting further addressed the growing dangers posed by extremist religious discourse and the exploitation of religion in service of colonial and exclusionary agendas, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the historic and legal status quo at Christian and Muslim holy sites.
The delegation expressed its deep appreciation to the Republic of Poland for its cooperation and support in facilitating the meeting, and thanked participating EU member states and EEAS officials for their constructive engagement and continued attention to issues concerning Palestine and the protection of the historic Palestinian Christian presence.
The delegation concluded by stressing the importance of continued dialogue and coordination with European institutions and member states in support of international efforts aimed at ending the occupation, achieving justice and freedom for the Palestinian people, and protecting their holy sites and historic presence.
T.R.
