President Rivlin joins the traditional Easter greetings

President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, came to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in the Old City of Jerusalem at 10.00 and joined the gathered heads of the Christian Churches in Jerusalem as they met in order to exchange Easter greetings.

The President was welcomed by Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, who commended the President for his courageous stand against racism and religious bigotry. He also underlined the common heritage of Jews and Christians that derives from the experience of the Exodus from Egypt, celebrated in Passover and Easter. The President then addressed the assembled Church leaders and insisted that the State of Israel guaranteed religious freedom and respected the status quo that governs religious practice in the Holy Places. Finally, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal addressed the current situation in which Christians in many parts of the world are suffering while the world remains silent. All the speakers called for justice, peace and religious freedom.