Father Issa Thaljieh was slated to join American clergy to address the impact of Israeli settler violence against Palestinian communities. U.S. authorities turned down his visa request on the grounds of security reasons, drawing criticism from Orthodox Christians for Palestine. The gathering will proceed at the United Methodist Building near the Capitol, featuring Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant leaders. Participants plan to urge members of Congress to restrict weapons shipments to Israel and enforce accountability for settler and military actions.
Key points
Barring the Bethlehem priest prevents an eyewitness from sharing firsthand accounts of We…: Barring the Bethlehem priest prevents an eyewitness from sharing firsthand accounts of West Bank settler violence.
An interfaith coalition of Christian leaders will assemble near Capitol Hill despite the…: An interfaith coalition of Christian leaders will assemble near Capitol Hill despite the entry denial.
Participating clergy intend to pressure the United States Congress to restrict military w…: Participating clergy intend to pressure the United States Congress to restrict military weapons transfers to Israel.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Father Issa Thaljieh, the Palestinian parish priest at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, has been denied a US visa to speak alongside American clergy next week on the gravity of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages.
"Our government denied him a visa for 'security reasons'. A parish priest from Bethlehem, treated as a threat. That should worry all of us, because it means the people living through this are being kept from telling us about it," Laila Mokhiber, a volunteer with Orthodox Christians for Palestine (OCP), told Middle East Eye on Thursday.
MEE has reached out to the State Department.
Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant leaders are set to gather at the United Methodist Building near the US Capitol on Monday to demand that Congress hold accountable both settlers and the Israeli military, and also curb US weapons transfers to Israel.
Read more: Bethlehem Church of the Nativity priest denied visa to speak at US event
Gun violence struck the nation's capital on Thursday when an armed individual opened fire on multiple victims before turning the weapon on himself. Meanwhile, federal leadership addressed a high-profile military ceremony incident, and international diplomats prepared for upcoming talks aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine.
Key regulatory positions are advancing to the legislative branch as the administration looks to secure leadership across major financial watchdogs. Lawmakers must complete formal review procedures before these regulatory leaders can take charge. The incoming officials are poised to address oversight across securities and commodities markets once vetted.
Council members adopted a UK-proposed resolution targeting individuals responsible for destabilizing the region and threatening stability. The unanimous decision maintains crucial diplomatic pressure as international leaders seek to de-escalate ongoing violence in the conflict-ridden nation.