RAMALLAH, September 11, 2026 (WAFA) — President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday received heads and representatives of Christian churches in the Holy Land at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.
The meeting was attended by Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, Ramzi Khoury, head of the Presidential High Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, Presidential Diplomatic Affairs Adviser Majdi al-Khaldi, and committee member Samir Hazboun.
President Abbas welcomed the church leaders and representatives, praising the longstanding national role of churches and Christian institutions in strengthening the steadfastness of the Palestinian people, preserving the deeply rooted Christian presence in Palestine, and promoting fraternity, national unity and coexistence.
He stressed that Palestinian Muslims and Christians constitute one people with a shared national identity and common destiny. He said preserving the Christian presence in Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is a national priority and an essential part of protecting the historical and cultural identity of the Holy Land.
President Abbas also stressed the importance of ensuring effective Christian representation and participation in the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council and National Council elections.
The President called for the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites and the preservation of their historical and legal status, rejecting attacks and measures targeting the sites or restricting access to them and the practice of religious rites.
He also condemned taxes imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on churches and their institutions in Jerusalem, reiterating that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine.
President Abbas praised the church leaders for their efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and commended their visits to Gaza in an effort to break the blockade. He also expressed appreciation for the positions of Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor, Pope Francis, and their efforts to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, Jerusalem and throughout the Palestinian territories.
The President briefed the delegation on the latest political developments and Palestinian efforts to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, including efforts to halt settlement expansion and settler violence, including attacks targeting Palestinian villages and towns with Christian majorities.
He stressed the need to end such attacks and achieve a just and lasting peace based on international legitimacy resolutions, ending the occupation and establishing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The church leaders and representatives expressed their appreciation for the President's positions and efforts to protect the Christian presence, safeguard holy sites and strengthen national unity. They also stressed the importance of effective Christian participation and representation in the upcoming Legislative Council and National Council elections.
They affirmed their commitment to continuing their religious, national and humanitarian mission and working toward peace and justice in the Holy Land.
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