Why it matters:
Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna’s public rebuke of Vice President JD Vance highlights growing frustration among Palestinian Christian leaders over U.S. policy in the region. His letter condemns Washington of complicity in Israeli acts of aggression and challenges the moral integrity of Christian leaders who remain silent on Palestinian suffering, especially during the devastating two-year war on Gaza.
The big picture:
As global criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza intensifies, religious voices like Archbishop Hanna’s add moral weight to political dissent. His message reflects a broader shift among faith leaders who are increasingly vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. The letter also underscores the tension between U.S. diplomatic visits to the region and the realities of Palestinians under occupation.
What he's saying:
Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna:
“It is sad and painful that you come to these Holy Lands for an unholy purpose… to adhere to the occupation.”
“How can a Christian ignore the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially what happened during the two years in Gaza which was a War of Holocaust?”
“You fed us with speeches about peace, but you did not do anything for the sake of peace… you supported their oppressors who with your weapons killed many Palestinians.”
Key points:
- Archbishop Hanna is a senior figure in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and one of the most prominent Palestinian Christian leaders.
- He criticizes the U.S. for ignoring Palestinian rights and enabling Israeli acts of aggression through arms support.
- The letter refers to the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza as a “War of Holocaust,” emphasizing the scale of destruction and loss.
- Hanna calls for moral accountability from Christian leaders, especially those visiting the region under official U.S. capacity.
What to watch:
The letter may resonate with other religious and humanitarian voices critical of U.S. policy in West Asia. It also raises questions about how future American diplomatic visits will be received by local communities living under occupation.
Hossein Amiri - A.Akbari
