French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot denounced what he described as a growing wave of violence against Christians, churches and religious institutions in occupied East Jerusalem and Israel during talks with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Barrot hosted Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa ahead of a June 12 conference in Paris that will bring together Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives to discuss a two-state solution, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Barrot reaffirmed France's commitment to preserving the Christian presence in the Holy Land, as well as supporting religious pluralism and freedom of worship across the Middle East.
He condemned, "in the strongest possible terms," the increasing violence, acts of intimidation and attacks targeting Christians, their places of worship and institutions in Jerusalem, Palestine and Israel, it said.
Barrot also stressed the need to preserve the historical status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites, describing it as essential for the stability of the city and the wider region.
