Following is an official statement issued by the The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs March 22, 2026.

In statements that starkly reveal the mindset shaping the policies of the occupation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has crossed a deeply troubling line by making offensive and deeply inappropriate remarks about Jesus Christ. In his remarks, he claimed that “history proves… that Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan,” further asserting that “because if you are strong enough, ruthless enough, powerful enough, evil will overcome good. Aggression will overcome moderation.”

Such rhetoric is not only profoundly offensive, but also promotes a dangerous and distorted narrative, one that equates a message rooted in love, peace, and human dignity, with a legacy defined by brutality and bloodshed. It reflects a blatant attempt to normalize violence, justify aggression, and clearly undermine the very moral foundations upon which faith and humanity stand.

The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine unequivocally condemns these statements. They cannot be viewed in isolation, but rather as part of a broader pattern of policies and practices pursued by the occupation authorities, policies marked by excessive use of force, systematic violence, and the entrenchment of injustice and impunity, in clear violation of international humanitarian law and established international norms.

The Committee affirms that these remarks are not merely a religious affront; they represent a dangerous distortion of moral and ethical principles, and an attempt to erode the universal values upheld by divine messages. Invoking the figure of Jesus Christ in a context that seeks to justify violence is a direct assault on the essence of religion, which stands firmly for justice, compassion, and the inherent dignity of all people.

Promoting the notion that brute force dictates the fate of nations, and that cruelty can prevail over truth, is a direct endorsement of the crimes being committed on the ground. It seeks to confer false legitimacy on ongoing acts of aggression against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.

This rhetoric, which glorifies violence and diminishes the value of human life, echoes some of the most dangerous ideologies in history, those rooted in supremacy, exclusion, and the justification of oppression. Its implications extend far beyond the Palestinian context, posing a threat to the global system of human values and shared moral responsibility.

In light of this, the Committee calls upon churches worldwide, religious institutions, and all people of conscience to take a clear and principled stand against such statements, and to reject any attempt to manipulate religion as a tool to justify injustice and aggression.

The Committee further underscores that policies grounded in force and domination will never confer legitimacy, nor will they alter the enduring truth that justice remains the foundation of peace. Peoples striving for their freedom and dignity cannot and will not be subdued by repression, regardless of its severity.

Palestine, the land of Jesus Christ, will continue to stand as a testament to the enduring power of truth, justice, and peace. The values embodied in His message will remain alive, resilient, and unshaken in the face of all attempts at distortion, oppression, and domination.