Middle East Council of Churches condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon
The Council condemned Israel’s strikes on Lebanon and called for unity, stressing the importance of civil peace and respect for religious leaders.
On May 3, 2026, the Middle East Council of Churches issued a statement condemning Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire currently in force, Orthodoxia News Agency reports.
The document described the actions of the Israeli army as “barbaric aggression” and emphasized the Lebanese people’s right to security, dignity, and life. The Council noted that defending the country must mean not only preserving territorial integrity, but also safeguarding social unity.
The statement separately condemned insults against Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi circulated on social media. The Council expressed its “full solidarity” with the patriarch, stressing that such attacks target not only an individual, but also Lebanon’s spiritual authority.
The Council also recalled that freedom of speech cannot justify insults or the incitement of hatred. It urged Lebanese citizens, especially politicians and media representatives, to show restraint and unite for the sake of preserving civil peace.
In conclusion, the organization emphasized that coexistence is a key principle for the country and called for dialogue, solidarity, and respect for religious and national values.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that an Israeli strike damaged a monastery of the Salvatorian Sisters in the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon, belonging to the Greek Catholic order. Damage was reported on the grounds of the religious site, as well as to nearby buildings – residential homes, a school, and shops. A French Catholic organization supporting the monastery said the shrine had been deliberately targeted, while Israel denied this.
