The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, on Friday warned of escalating attacks by Israeli Jewish supremacist settlers in the occupied West Bank, raising alarm over growing threats to Christian communities and broader violations of religious freedom, according to a statement issued by the Patriarchate.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, on Friday warned of escalating attacks by Israeli Jewish supremacist settlers in the occupied West Bank, raising alarm over growing threats to Christian communities and broader violations of religious freedom, according to a statement issued by the Patriarchate.

Patriarch Theophilos III made the remarks while hosting the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, alongside Consuls General and members of the diplomatic corps, at the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

In his address, the Patriarch spoke of the mounting human toll across the Holy Land, with particular emphasis on Gaza, where widespread destruction and humanitarian deprivation continue to affect civilians. Recalling a recent pastoral visit to Gaza with Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, he commended the resilience of local Christian communities, praising their continued commitment to service, compassion, and solidarity amid ongoing suffering.

“The Church cannot turn its face away from human pain,” Patriarch Theophilos III said, stressing that Christian responsibility requires standing with the most vulnerable. He underscored the need for sustained international engagement to support reconstruction efforts and uphold interfaith responsibility in the region.

The Patriarch also warned of intensifying settler violence in the occupied West Bank, citing recent assaults impacting Christian communities in the towns of Taybeh and Birzeit. He expressed deep concern over the expansion of Israeli colonial settlements near Beit Sahour, one of the largest remaining Christian towns in the West Bank, describing such developments as a direct threat to the area’s historical and demographic character.

In Jerusalem, Patriarch Theophilos III raised serious concerns about increasing restrictions on freedom of worship, particularly during Holy Week and the Holy Fire celebrations. He said limitations imposed on the number of permitted worshippers, disruptions to the traditional participation of Christian Scouts, and heavy-handed policing constituted unacceptable violations of religious freedom, human dignity, and the long-standing Status Quo governing access to holy sites.

The Patriarch further renewed the Church’s appeal for humanitarian access to enable children with cancer in Gaza to reach Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem for critical medical treatment. He also highlighted ongoing permit restrictions affecting teachers and essential workers, warning that such obstacles are disrupting education, livelihoods, and community stability.

“Our mission is healing,” he said. “To heal bodies, to heal spirits, and to safeguard the dignity God has bestowed upon every human being.”

Concluding his remarks, Patriarch Theophilos III urged the diplomatic community in Jerusalem to uphold justice and peace, emphasizing that mercy, moral courage, and accountability remain essential to preserving the sanctity and future of the Holy City. (ILKHA)