Your Beatitudes Heads of Churches,
Greetings to you from the holy city of Jerusalem.
These days we are celebrating Easter and the Resurrection of Christ, remembering at the same time the historical and unprecedented closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The lesson we learn on this holy occasion is that the churches are present and exist as autonomous entities that reject dictates. The Churches and the living stones will remain relentless and steadfast telling the tale of our Lord’s Jesus birth, death and resurrection in the land of the prophets and the via dolorosa. This Easter brings a better hope for the future; a future in which human dignity, liberty and justice will overcome oppression, injustice and occupation. Our people who are yearning for peace and coexistence have made huge sacrifices in the land of peace.
On this solemn occasion, we confirm that the essence of our cause revolves around the land and the people. As we are proud of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Christians living in the homeland, we are likewise proud of our Palestinian Christians in the diaspora for they represent their state and people favorably. Let us work together to enhance the Palestinian Christian presence in the Holy Land. Let us also join efforts to confront all challenges and attempts that aim to undermine the Christian presence and the presence of the Churches especially in the holy city of Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine, which we seek to keep open and accessible to all believers and followers of the three monotheistic religions.
Ramallah, 6 April 2018
Mahmoud Abbas
President of the State of Palestine
Chairman of the Executive Committee the Palestine Liberation Organization
