Bishop Atallah Hanna: Jewish Holidays, a Cover for Changing the Identity of Jerusalem

Bishop Atallah Hanna, the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Sebastia in Jerusalem, warned at a press conference on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in Jerusalem, about identity changes in this city using Jewish holidays. He stated that these holidays have become an excuse to advance targeted policies against the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem.

Social and Cultural Impacts

Bishop Hanna pointed out the negative impacts of these policies on the Arab community of Jerusalem during the conference, stating that these actions lead to the weakening of the cultural and religious identity of the region. He added: "Jerusalem is a city with a rich Arab history and culture, and we should not allow this identity to be overshadowed. Jewish holidays are used as a tool to change the image of this city, and this is unacceptable."

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Response to Occupation Policies

This Palestinian bishop also emphasized that the Arab community must confront these threats and continue to preserve its historical and cultural identity. He called on all Palestinians and Muslims to stand against these policies and defend their identity. In this regard, Hanna referred to holding gatherings and cultural activities as strategies to counter identity changes.

Bishop Hanna, quoting some international organizations, also addressed the human rights situation in Jerusalem, saying: "Many institutions and organizations, especially in Europe, need to pay more attention to human rights issues in Jerusalem and prevent pressure on the Arab community." He also urged Arab and Islamic countries to take action in support of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Future Consequences

Bishop Hanna's warnings come at a time when occupation policies in Jerusalem seem to be expanding significantly, raising many concerns within the Arab and Islamic community. Especially with the approach of Jewish holidays, there is a feeling that further actions may be taken to change the identity of Jerusalem.

At the end of this conference, Bishop Atallah Hanna emphasized that "Jerusalem is important to all of us, and we must defend it. We cannot allow our history and identity to be distorted." He hopes that with greater solidarity among Arab and Muslim nations, they can stand against these challenges.

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