The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, represented by head of the committee and member of the PLO Executive Committee, Dr. Ramzi Khouri, strongly condemned the Israeli occupation authorities’ decision to deport Father Louis Salman, deny the renewal of his residency permit, and forcibly remove him from the Palestinian territories, describing the move as a grave violation of freedom of worship and a direct assault on the indigenous Palestinian Christian presence and the historic role of national churches in Palestine.
The Committee stressed that the decision forms part of a broader and escalating Israeli policy targeting Palestinian churches, clergy, and Christian institutions through systematic restrictions on religious freedom, repeated attacks on holy sites and religious leaders, and increasingly restrictive measures against Arab priests and clergy arriving from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt to serve Palestinian churches. These measures, the Committee noted, aim to weaken and marginalize the authentic Palestinian Christian presence in its historic homeland.
Khouri emphasized that Father Louis Salman is widely regarded as one of the leading young national and spiritual figures among Palestinian Christian youth, playing a vital role in pastoral, humanitarian, and national engagement. He has become closely associated with empowering young Palestinians, strengthening their resilience, and reinforcing their attachment to their land, identity, and national heritage.
The Committee further stated that targeting clergy because of their humanitarian and national positions opposing the occupation constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the fundamental right to freedom of religion and belief. It also reflects ongoing attempts to silence the free Palestinian Christian voice that continues to advocate for justice, dignity, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Committee underscored that the deportation of Father Salman extends beyond targeting an individual priest; rather, it represents an attack on the mission, historical role, and national presence of the Palestinian Church itself, as well as an attempt to curtail its spiritual and humanitarian role within the Palestinian people, particularly among the youth.
Reaffirming the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their institutions, the Committee stressed that such policies will not succeed in undermining the Palestinian national message or erasing the Palestinian Christian presence rooted in the land of Christ.
The Committee called upon churches, Christian institutions, and human rights organizations around the world to take urgent and concrete action to confront Israeli violations against churches, clergy, and the Palestinian Christian presence in Palestine.
