A screen grab from Archbishop Atallah Hanna’s interview with Al Mayadeen.

The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Archbishop Atallah Hanna, told Al Mayadeen that "Today, the Christian presence in occupied Al-Quds is targeted by the Israeli authorities, more than ever."

He affirmed that the Israeli practices "target all components of the Palestinian society."

"The Christian presence in occupied #AlQuds is targeted by the Israeli authorities today, more than ever before."
- The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Archbishop Atallah Hanna to #AlMayadeen.#Palestine https://t.co/JuK0lPUAaF
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 4, 2023

In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, Archbishop Hanna pointed out that the phenomenon of spitting and slurring insults by illegal Israeli settlers against Christian priests "is not new," noting that he has been subjected to such acts repeatedly.

Watch | Israeli settlers spit on a group of Christian worshipers while they headed to occupied #AlQuds to observe the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/Fj2VUPUeyg
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 3, 2023

He emphasized that "the phenomenon of attacking Christians has been ongoing for a long time," adding that it "has increased during the rule of the fascist government and amid the silence of Western countries."

Elsewhere in his remarks, he emphasized that Christianity has not been imposed on this nation, but this nation is rather the cradle of Christianity, reiterating that those who target Christians are targeting all the Palestinian people with their symbols and sacred elements.

In this context, Archbishop Hanna explained to Al Mayadeen that there had been a dramatic decline in the number of Christians in occupied Al-Quds, due to Israeli practices.

He also reported holding an important meeting with Christian church leaders to discuss these insults, provocations, and ongoing acts of racism.

"Our goal is to unite and organize our domestic affairs, " Archbishop Hanna said.

The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia also expressed hope that the Arabs would take action for Palestine and Al-Quds, emphasizing the need to change the Arab reality for the better.

The statement from Archbishop Hanna comes as a large number of Israeli settlers continue to storm the suburbs of the Old City of occupied Al-Quds, making their way into the courtyards of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, as part of their provocative actions during Yum Kippur.

Thousands of settlers have stormed the mosque in the past few days while Israeli forces further increased their suppression of Palestinian worshippers and launched aggression campaigns to prohibit them from carrying out prayers.

The Yum Kippur is set to continue through October 7, with the so-called "Temple Mount" organizers intensifying their calls during this period, in an effort to increase the number of settlers infiltrating Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Christians in al-Quds warn that settler attacks will not go unanswered

The leaders of the Christian community in occupied Al-Quds warned, on Tuesday, against the ongoing attacks by the Israeli settlers on the city's Christians, promising a response "from the youth," in case these attacks do not cease.

Israeli media also reported that dozens of foreign embassies have requested explanations from the Israeli occupation Foreign Ministry, following the attacks on Christians in the Palestinian capital.

Moreover, the Armenian community in the city also requested the occupation municipality and its police to offer them "prayer protection" from settler attacks. However, the Armenian Christians were faced with nothing but further discrimination practices, and their requests were rejected.

In turn, the Roman Catholic archimandrite of the Archdiocese of Al-Quds Abdullah Daniel Julio told Al Mayadeen that "Israel does not want Arabs, whether Muslims or Christians, to remain in Palestine. If the occupation's attacks on Christians and their sanctuaries continue, our churches will turn into mere museums."

Father Julio also underscored that "this is a war on identity, and a war against the continued presence of Arabs in al-Quds," urging the need "to strengthen the presence of Arabs and Palestinians in Al-Quds."