Jerusalem: France reaffirms its mandate to protect Christians

This is a long-standing tradition, but it finds particular resonance in these warlike times. The French Consul General in Jerusalem made a ceremonial entrance into the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher on Thursday, underscoring France’s commitment to protecting Latin Christian communities of French origin in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

After the 1535 capitulation signed by Francis I and the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent, France became the protector of these communities. “This responsibility is especially called for when Christians suffer daily attacks and threats,” commented Nicholas Kassianides, who took office in September, in a speech at St. Anne’s Basilica in Jerusalem’s old city.

In front of representatives of the religious and diplomatic community, he was earlier greeted by the three custodian communities of the Holy Sepulcher (Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Franciscan custodianship), considered by Christians to be the site of Jesus’ tomb. “We express all our wishes (…) that God be your strength,” said the rector of the Basilica of St. Anne, Laurent Balas.

Congregations of French origin under the protection of the Quai d’Orsay.

The church is part of one of Jerusalem’s four national dominions – the French territories – and is home to one of dozens of religious communities of French origin protected by the Quai d’Orsay. The Consul insisted on the “concrete” character he wanted to give to French protection, calling for “material, legal and security support”.

On September 21, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was alarmed by the increase in attacks on Christians in the Old City. “Every time there are risks, threats, attacks, especially in Jerusalem, it is France that immediately reacts,” commented Nicolas Kassianides. He addressed “a special thought to all the civilian refugees in the Latin parish of Gaza who find themselves in the center of the hell of war.”

On the eve of Christmas, Emmanuel Macron also expressed “deep concern” about the “dramatic situation” in this parish, where two worshipers were killed by an Israeli soldier on December 16. Pope Francis has expressed sadness over the deaths of the women, and the Israeli army has said it is investigating the shootings.

According to various estimates by local religious authorities, about one and a half million Christians live between Israel and all the Palestinian territories.