During Holy Week, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, on March 28, 2024, Rafic Nahra, an auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Patriarchal Vicar of Nazareth, representing the Catholic Church in the northern city of Israel, visited Paris on Sunday, May 5, for the Day of Christians of the East organized by L’Œuvre d’Orient. Pascal Gollnisch, the general director of this Catholic institution providing support to various Christian communities in Eastern countries, including Ukraine, India, the Levant, Armenia, the Horn of Africa, as well as Israel and Palestine, joined him for an interview with Le Monde. Together, they discussed the critical situation in the Holy Land, affecting both Christians and the general population.
Nahra expressed deep concern about the current situation in the region, with tensions escalating following the massacres of October 7 and the ongoing war in Gaza. He noted the extreme difficulties faced by both Palestinians and Israelis, with a buildup of mistrust, violence, and resentment on all sides. Palestinians are growing increasingly frustrated as they wait for their right to self-determination, particularly in light of the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and escalating violence in the West Bank. Meanwhile, Israelis have been subjected to repeated terrorist attacks and the traumatic events of October 7, 2023, which shook the nation and left many feeling abandoned and humiliated.
Furthermore, Nahra highlighted the deep divisions within Israeli society, exacerbated by the political unrest preceding the events of October 7. Massive protests against the government were a common occurrence, reflecting differing visions for the country’s future. The hostage crisis and extremist rhetoric further fueled animosity, eroding trust between Jewish and Arab communities. The aftermath of war has shattered what little remained of this trust, contributing to a sense of despair on both sides. Nahra emphasized the need for significant decisions to prevent the recurrence of such devastating conflicts, stressing the importance of finding a viable solution for the 5 million Palestinians living in the region.
Looking ahead, both Nahra and Gollnisch highlighted the necessity of courageous and realistic leadership to navigate the complex challenges facing the Holy Land. Gollnisch pointed out the crucial role of bold and honest leaders in steering the region towards a sustainable peace. However, the current political landscape presents significant obstacles, with uncertainties about the availability of such leaders in the present context. They underscored the importance of dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among all parties involved, emphasizing the urgency of finding common ground and working towards a peaceful and inclusive future for the region.
In conclusion, Nahra and Gollnisch’s assessment of the situation in the Holy Land paints a sobering picture of the challenges facing Christians and the broader population in the region. The ongoing conflict, humanitarian crisis, and deep-seated divisions underscore the urgent need for decisive action and courageous leadership to pave the way for lasting peace and stability. They called for a renewed commitment to dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation, stressing the importance of working together to address the root causes of the conflict and build a more harmonious future for all communities in the Holy Land.
