TOURISM MINISTER DR. UZI LANDAU TO THE HEADS OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ISRAEL: "WE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE CONSERVATION OF SITES HOLY TO CHRISTIANITY; THE STATE OF ISRAEL SANCTIFIES FREEDOM OF WORSHIP AND WELCOMES COLLABORATION WITH THE CHURCH"

Minister Landau and representatives of the Tourism Ministry hosted pre-Christmas receptions today (Monday) and yesterday (Sunday) for the heads of the Christian communities in Jerusalem and Nazareth.

Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau and representatives of the Tourism Ministry today (Monday) hosted a festive pre-Christmas reception in Jerusalem for the heads of the Christian communities and representatives of the various denominations of the Church.

Tourism Minister Landau: " It is no secret, that Christmas is one of the most beautiful and popular festivals in the Christian calendar, and around the world. Christmas is a festival that brings with it renewal and creativity, and new beginnings. It is a festival which brings a special light, and symbolizes peace, love for fellow man and the spirit of giving."

The minister continued: " The Ministry of Tourism, under my leadership has worked side by side with the Christian community in order to provide the best experience for the more than seventy five thousand visitors who are expected to come to Israel over the festive period.We are working in many ways to facilitate the crossing into Bethlehem. We are providing a free shuttle service which will operate tomorrow between Jerusalem and Bethlehem for the benefit of pilgrims and worshipers. We have invested heavily in the development and conservation of the Christian holy sites in order to enrich the spiritual experience for the pilgrims who visit the Holy Land. We will continue to do this for the Christian faithful from around the world"

The minister also said: " The State of Israel proudly carries the banner of humanitarian principles, foremost among them human dignity and the value of life - and has been dedicated to these principles since its establishment."

The minister noted that Israeli hospitals frequently treat the wounded, the sick and the needy who come from the Palestinian Authority and from neighboring countries - even in the absence of diplomatic relations. He also recalled that, during the snowstorms which raged in the region, Israel provided access to humanitarian assistance to our neighbors in the territories and in Syria, with the help of the United Nations.

"For me, as a student of the Bible and a Minister of the State of Israel, this event not only symbolizes Christmas – but the coexistence of those of different faiths, the friendship and the ability to find a common language, to build common values. Values such as the sanctity of life, liberty, faith, freedom of religion and conscience and the respect for all humanity."

Among the Church leaders attending the reception were Archimandrite Ignatios, head of the Shepherds Fields Monastery who read a message from His Beatitude the Greek Patriarch Theophilus the Third, Apostolic Nuncio to Israel H.E. Archbishop Lazzarotto Giuseppe, Custos of the Holy Land Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Mr. Jurgen Buehler Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem.

A similar reception took place in Nazareth yesterday (Sunday) with the participation of, among others, Archbishop Elias Chacour, head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Father Bruno Varriano, Guardian of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Greek Orthodox Bishop Kuriakos, Mayor of Nazareth Ali Salam, Imam of the Peace Mosque in Nazareth and others.

Minister Landau referred to the International Day of Faith celebrations that had taken place in November in Nazareth in collaboration between the ministry and the Church.
" I expressed to His Beatitude the Latin Patriarch Fuad Tawal, my sincerest hope that this important day would be the first of many more events in the future, and, as we say in Hebrew, may we meet on joyous occasions."

The Tourism Ministry will distribute sweets and Christmas gifts to pilgrims and tourists making their way through Rachel's Crossing to the Mass in Bethlehem on Christmas. According to Tourism Ministry statistics, 56% of all tourists visiting Israel in 2013 were Christians. The ministry is expecting about 75,000 visitors to the Holy Land over the Christmas period.

Photos: Credit Nitzan Shorer and Miriam Alster

- Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau, Senior Deputy Director-General Ahuva Zaken and Bishop Giacinto Marcuzzo, Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate in Nazareth (Jerusalem)
 - Tourism Minister Dr. Uzi Landau and Archbishop Elias Chacour, head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church (Nazareth)