Herzog Honors Christian Community with Christmas Visit in Jerusalem

In a heartfelt gesture ahead of Christmas, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the Franciscan Sisters at the St. Antonio Convent in Jerusalem, underscoring the deep connection between Israel and its Christian communities.

Standing alongside the nuns, Herzog shared a prayer for peace and fraternity, highlighting unity in the face of rising global hatred and extremism. “I feel deep pride in Israel’s Christian communities, which are an integral part of our nation,” Herzog wrote in a message shared after the visit. “The State of Israel will continue to protect the freedom of worship for people of all faiths and communities.”

The president also extended warm Christmas and New Year greetings to Christians in Israel, across the Middle East, and around the world.

Israel is home to approximately 185,000 Christians about 2% of the national population with the majority being Arab Christians. This vibrant community also includes Armenians, Maronites, Copts, and other denominations, many of whom have maintained their faith traditions for centuries in the very land where Christianity was born.

For Christians in Israel, the season of Christmas carries profound spiritual meaning. From the hills of Galilee where Jesus preached, to the holy city of Jerusalem, to the manger in Bethlehem just a short drive away, this land is more than a backdrop it is the beginning of a living story still unfolding.

Despite regional tensions, Israel remains the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is not only protected but steadily growing. Its commitment to freedom of worship stands in sharp contrast to the persecution faced by Christians in many neighboring nations.

Herzog’s visit serves as a powerful reminder Israel is not only the homeland of the Jewish people but also a guardian of the world’s sacred history a place where people of all faiths can pray, celebrate, and live in dignity.

This Christmas, as churches glow with candlelight from Nazareth to Jerusalem, Israel reaffirms its promise to remain a safe and welcoming home for Christian life.

Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for more stories celebrating the diversity and unity within the land of Israel.