Churches of Jerusalem Reject External Interference and Warn Against Christian Zionism

The patriarchs and heads of churches in Palestine announced their strong rejection of the phenomenon of "Christian Zionism" and its promotion, affirming that it serves only Israel and warning of its harm to the Christian presence in the Holy Land. They emphasized that the representation of Christians in the Holy Land is an exclusive ecclesiastical responsibility undertaken by the historical churches, warning against individuals and initiatives that claim to represent Christianity outside the official ecclesiastical framework, as this constitutes misleading public opinion, harming the unity of the flock, and serving political agendas that affect the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. This came in a statement that stressed that the care of Christians in this land "is entrusted to the apostolic churches that have carried their sacred message throughout the centuries with unwavering devotion," adding that "recent activities by local individuals promoting harmful ideologies such as Christian Zionism mislead public opinion, sow discord, and harm the unity of the flock."

Sources say that the efforts of these individuals have been welcomed by some political actors in Israel and abroad, "who seek to impose a political agenda that may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the Middle East in general."

In the statement, the churches of Jerusalem expressed "grave concern" over the welcome these individuals have received at both official local and international levels, "because these actions are considered interference in the internal affairs of the churches, and a disregard for the pastoral responsibility entrusted to the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem." The heads of churches affirmed that "claiming authority outside the scope of the church harms the unity of believers and burdens the pastoral mission entrusted to the historical churches in the very land where our Father lived, taught, suffered, and rose from the dead." They stressed that "the patriarchs and heads of churches alone represent the churches and their congregations in matters related to Christian religious, social, and pastoral life in the Holy Land."

What's happening?

Sources approached the Latin Patriarchal Vicar General in Jerusalem, Archbishop William Shomali, and asked him about what was happening and about the individuals referred to in the statement issued last Saturday evening. He refused to disclose names for fear of giving these individuals importance, but he warned of the danger of spreading this ideology "because those individuals change, fluctuate, change their minds, and become more fundamentalist."

He said that the heads of churches refrain from mentioning names, "but they criticize the ideology that defends one party over another and gives rights to one party over another, and this is not permissible."

He added: "Firstly, it is known that Christian Zionism supports extremist Zionist ideology against the rights of the Palestinian people, and secondly, these individuals claim to represent Christian opinion, thought, and the street, but in reality, they are a minority, and the true representative of Christianity in the Holy Land are the heads of churches, and we do not want anyone to outbid us because this is against the truth, and it creates discord against the Christianity present in this country, which holds a moderate view towards the required solution for the Palestinian issue."

Regarding the visits organized by these individuals to official Israeli figures, Shomali said that after organizing them, they issue statements or make certain demands for Christians in order to give themselves legitimacy, such as demanding the opening of a specific closed church, or obtaining a right here or there.

He added, "They are in fact asking for small things to give themselves legitimacy that they are defending the Christian street as representatives of Christians, and we say that they represent only themselves."

Dangerous Misleading

Shomali warns of the danger of these individuals despite their small number, for "their ideology is present and has an impact, and its proponents mislead public opinion, including American public opinion, and this is dangerous because America is a decision-maker in the region."

But what is important - according to Shomali - is to note that these individuals "do not represent us, and what represents us Christians in the Holy Land are the statements issued by the heads of churches in the social, religious, and official spheres, and not just anyone who raises a flag and says they represent Christians."

Regarding the future impact of these individuals' activities, he said that they create local discord and may mislead diverse public opinion, "and although many know the truth and will not be affected by the ideology of Christian Zionism, there is a group that does not know it and is affected by what it hears."

"Therefore, those concerned with the issue must have a unified stance, not listen to dissonant voices that create discord, which show that Christians are against the rights of their people and have double standards, and it is assumed that what is said in secret is said in public and vice versa, and this is what the patriarchs and heads of churches do," according to Shomali.

When asked if the activity of individuals leading the thought of Christian Zionism in the Holy Land has increased since the beginning of the last war on Gaza, he said, "No, it has not increased, but every word during the war creates a bigger stir... The people are the same and the ideology itself has not changed, but every word spreads like lightning in war."

Faithful, Not Political, Teachings

For his part, George Akroush, Director of Development and Planning at the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, said that Christians categorically reject the manipulation of some interpretations and the invention of new meanings not intended by the Bible in order to justify one people seizing the land of another, referring to the support of religious Zionism for Israel.

He added, "As Christians, we refuse to give any political interpretation to the Bible because it is a book of religious and faith teachings and encourages love, self-sacrifice for others, giving, and peace, and carries no political meanings."

It is worth noting that a Christian delegation, including religious leaders representing friends of Israel, the largest in history - according to Israeli media - visited Israel in coordination with its foreign ministry in early December last year.