Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed Israeli citizens of all faiths: “We are committed to all the faiths of the Holy Land. May they prosper, and grow, and continue to strike roots, and feel safe, and feel part of the State of Israel. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Druze, and Circassians. All religious communities and faiths are an inseparable part of the State of Israel, and the State of Israel is committed to guaranteeing the freedom of faith and worship of all of them."
“I stand here as the President of the State of Israel and call on all our brothers and sisters of faith around the world, and especially in the Middle East — Christians, Muslims, Jews, Druze, and Circassians. May we always remember that we all pray to the same God and that we all want lives of peace and partnership based on understanding and fraternity.”
On December 14, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog visited the city of Nazareth and met the leaders of the Christian churches in Israel at the Basilica of the Annunciation. The President and the church leaders were photographed in front of the Orthodox Church's Christmas tree, the largest in the Middle East, and the President spoke in Hebrew and Arabic.
The President began his remarks by noting the importance of this encounter soon before Christmas: “We are here in order to repeat that we are committed to all the faiths of the Holy Land. May they prosper, and grow, and continue to strike roots, and feel safe, and feel part of the State of Israel. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Druze, and Circassians. All religious communities and faiths are an inseparable part of the State of Israel, and the State of Israel is committed to guaranteeing the freedom of faith and worship of all of them."
"Just before Christmas and the New Year, we bring good tidings from the Basilica of the Annunciation, from the Holy Land to the whole world! Tidings of peace, tidings of fraternity, tidings of coexistence, tidings of a war against hatred and racism. I thank you all and wish you happy holidays!"
The President then added in Arabic: "I stand here as the President of the State of Israel and call on all our brothers and sisters of faith around the world, and especially in the Middle East — Christians, Muslims, Jews, Druze, and Circassians. May we always remember that we all pray to the same God and that we all want lives of peace and partnership based on understanding and fraternity. Only thus, out of our deep shared faith in the Creator, and no less so, out of our faith in humankind, shall we manage to create for ourselves, for all of humanity, the good and promising future that we deserve.”
Nazareth Mayor Ali Salam contributed: "I commend the President and the First Lady on their important visit in Nazareth, especially just before Christmas, the holiday that symbolizes peace and love. We have known each other for many years, and I am sure that the President will continue to assist the whole Arab sector, just as he has done to date."
CCD edited and reprinted with permission.
