Bethlehem Church of the Nativity priest denied visa to speak at US event

A Palestinian priest, Father Issa Thaljieh, from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, was denied a U.S. visa to speak alongside American clergy on the topic of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages. The U.S. government cited security reasons for the denial. Laila Mokhiber, a volunteer with Orthodox Christians for Palestine, expressed concern that the people living through this conflict are being prevented from sharing their experiences.

The gathering of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant leaders in Washington, D.C., aims to hold both settlers and the Israeli military accountable and restrict US weapons transfers to Israel. The event follows the recent victory of Democrats in the US midterm elections, who have vowed to condition aid to Israel and cease accepting campaign funds from the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. Father Thaljieh's sister, Honey Thaljieh, will speak in his place, as her visa was approved.