The Greek Orthodox Christian Patriarchate in east Jerusalem has slammed an Israeli law recognizing Aramaic Christians as a nationality, describing it as an attempt to divide the Palestinian minority.
The Greek Orthodox Church said in a statement that the law, which separates Christians from Arabs, would split minorities living in Israel, eventually weakening Palestinians, reported The Jerusalem Post.
“Palestinian Christians are an important part of the Arab and Palestinian nations; we are proud of the Aramaic identity as it reflects history and culture shaped by Arab Muslims and Christians,” the report quoted Christian Orthodox Church spokesperson Father Issa Musleh as saying.
Musleh stated that their roots as Palestinian Christians cannot be erased by anyone or any group as they are “deeply engraved in history.”
The church official was questioning the law passed on September 16, which recognized the majority of Israel’s Christians as Arameans instead of Arabs, creating a separate Christian minority group.
Last month, Interior Minister Gideon Saar ordered Israel’s Population, Immigration and Border Authority to recognize a separate Aramean identity among local Christians in the country who identify with the ancient people.