President Peres wishes Christians of Jaffa merry Christmas

This morning, President Shimon Peres came to the Church of Saint Anthony in Jaffa in order to meet with the Christians in the city and to wish them Merry Christmas. He was accompanied by the Mayor of Tel Aviv – Jaffa, Mr. Ron Huldai.

The President was welcomed by Father Ramzi Sidawi OFM, the parish priest at Saint Anthony’s and he expressed his joy to be able to receive the President in our church. In a few words Father Ramzi explained the meaning of the time of preparation for Christmas, the need to prepare our homes, our families, our environment and especially our hearts. He then explained a little about the work of the Franciscans in Jaffa and about the life of the community.

It was then the turn of the Mayor, Ron Huldai, to welcome the President. He said that during the feast of Hannuka and right before Christmas we received the gift of a visit of the President of Israel, who came to Jaffa to encourage coexistence among Christians, Jews and Muslims, making Jaffa a model for the rest of the country.

President Peres began by wishing happy feast to one and all – Hagg Sameah, Merry Christmas. He explained that he came to Jaffa because it is here that there is the largest community of Christians and that all live here in harmony. As he offered his wishes for the holiday, he referred to the symbols of Hannuka and Christmas: the candelabrum and the star. Both gave light and peace to the world and not darkness and hatred.

At this meeting there were present many men and women religious from all the Churches and the confessions of Jaffa as well as faithful as well as the children of Terra Santa School. A small choir of children from the parish sang carols for Christmas.

Noteworthy it is that the President of Israel left his residence in order to come and wish the Christians merry Christmas.