Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday, 19 January 2026 04:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III blesses people with a decorated cross during his arrival at the Manger Square outside the Nativity Church complex in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank as Eastern Christians mark Christmas Eve on 6 January – AFP
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Senior Christian leaders in Jerusalem have issued a warning against outside interference threatening the unity and future of Christianity in the Holy Land, singling out “Christian Zionism” and political actors linked to Israel.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem said recent activities by local individuals advancing “damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism, mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock.”
The church leaders warned that these efforts have found support among “certain political actors in Israel and beyond,” accusing them of pushing an agenda that could undermine the Christian presence not only in the Holy Land but across the wider Middle East. The intervention comes amid growing concern among Palestinian Christians that Israel’s policies – including land confiscation, illegal settlement expansion, and pressure on church property – are accelerating the erosion of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities.
A powerful strand of evangelical Christianity in the US continues to shape political and financial support for Israel, drawing growing concern from church leaders in Jerusalem.
Many Christian Zionists also embrace the “prosperity gospel,” which teaches that blessing Israel brings personal and financial reward.
Critics say these beliefs translate into donations and political backing for Israel’s settlement enterprise, entrenching occupation while marginalising Palestinian Christians and undermining the historic churches of the Holy Land.
The patriarchs said they were also “deeply concerned” that individuals promoting these agendas have been “welcomed at official levels both locally and internationally,” calling such engagement an intrusion into the internal life of the churches.
“These actions constitute interference in the internal life of the churches,” the statement said, accusing outside actors of disregarding the authority and responsibility of Jerusalem’s historic Christian leadership.
