"“Peace needs bridges, not walls and military checkpoints.” But what we see today is more military barriers, more oppression in the West Bank, and the movement between cities and governorates has become a journey fraught with danger. Remove the military checkpoints. Tear down the apartheid walls that separate one human being from another" Atallah Hanna Archbishop of Sebastia Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem

Archbishop Atallah Hanna on Palm Sunday

Faith Under Israeli Seige 

Archbishop Atallah Hanna 

Holy Monday, April 14, 2025 

 “The checkpoints and military walls stand in the way of our people. Many Christians have been unable to reach Jerusalem, and those who have were only able to do so after obtaining a permit through an exhausting and humiliating process—this is a violation of freedom of religion and the right to access holy places. 

 We call on all human rights and humanitarian organizations to pay attention to this extremely serious issue. Every Palestinian—Christian or Muslim—must enjoy the right to access the city of Jerusalem. No one should be denied access for any reason whatsoever. 

We recall the well-known saying, “Peace needs bridges, not walls and military checkpoints.” But what we see today is more military barriers, more oppression in the West Bank, and the movement between cities and governorates has become a journey fraught with danger. 

Remove the military checkpoints. Tear down the apartheid walls that separate one human being from another—for no mighty power will ever succeed in uprooting Jerusalem from the Christian and Islamic Palestinian soul.” 

 + Atallah Hanna Archbishop of Sebastia Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem - translated - Arabic source: https://facebook.com/story.php?stor

Years after it was deemed illegal by a UN court, the wall continues to cut through and divide Palestinian communities.  In Pictures.