The recent ban imposed by the Israeli Police on Christian worshippers attending the Feast of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor has elicited a strong response from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The police justified their actions by citing a lack of required government approvals, resulting in the closure of the site to thousands of faithful individuals. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem has condemned this decision as an unjustified infringement on religious freedom. This move, reminiscent of similar disruptions in the past, reflects a concerning trend where Christian ceremonies are treated as private events requiring extensive security measures rather than spiritual gatherings.
The Patriarchate asserts that such an approach undermines the essential role of Christians in society and creates unnecessary obstacles to their religious practices. The Patriarchate stated, “Such actions dismiss the integral role of Christians within the societal fabric.” The police’s actions have also impacted other significant religious events, such as the Saturday of the Holy Light in Jerusalem.
Despite the Patriarchate’s proactive engagement with the Israeli Minister of Interior to prevent a recurrence of previous issues, the police’s decision has “unexpectedly thwarted the natural right of believers to worship.” The Patriarchate is urging Israeli authorities to uphold the “inviolable rights of freedom of worship” and reconsider their position on non-Jewish religious practices, urging them to resist extremist influences.
Read the full statement released by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem:
The recent ban imposed by the Israeli Police on Christian worshippers from participating in the sacred services of the Feast of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, citing the absence of necessary government approvals and licenses, has resulted in the regrettable closure of this holy site to thousands of faithful congregants.
This decision, similar to last year’s disruption, has left the Patriarchate of Jerusalem with limited options. The recurring portrayal of Christian prayers and religious ceremonies by Israeli authorities as private events requiring security measures, which diverges from the spiritual essence of these occasions, serves as a continual pretext to obstruct Christians from practicing their faith. This dismissive approach to Christians’ societal role imposes unwarranted restrictions instead of fulfilling the state’s obligation to facilitate religious practices.
This regrettable stance is not isolated; similar hindrances have affected other sacred events, including the Saturday of the Holy Light in Jerusalem. It is imperative for Israeli authorities to uphold the inviolable rights of freedom of worship, access to holy sites, and the unimpeded conduct of religious ceremonies—rights inherent and guaranteed by international law to the indigenous Christian community in the holy land.
In anticipation of avoiding a repetition of last year’s events during the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Patriarchate had proactively engaged with the Israeli Minister of Interior over a month ago. However, the police’s decision has unexpectedly impeded believers’ natural right to worship. The Patriarchate sincerely hopes that Israeli authorities will reassess their approach towards non-Jewish religious practices, affirm the fundamental rights of Christians, and resist succumbing to extremist influences.
