The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth has condemned what it described as an unprovoked attack on its premises on Sunday evening by a group identifying themselves as “Soldiers of God”.
“In statement shared via Facebook, the church said the group forcibly entered the property while it was closed, removed the outer gate, and rang the bell without authorisation.
“The Orthodox Community Council will not allow the desecration of a holy place, has filed a police complaint, and will follow up on it,” the statement read.
According to the church, the group claimed their actions were a protest in response to the recent Islamic State terrorist attack on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which left at least 20 people dead.
Footage circulating on social media shows a Greek Orthodox priest attempting to calm the crowd, while protesters wave both the Israeli national flag and the Christian Israeli religious flag. The same video appears to show members of the group striking people in the crowd with wooden crosses.
Senior church figures arrived at the scene, confronted the intruders, and called the police, the church said.
In response to the incident, the church has called for a public gathering in its courtyard at 6.30pm on Monday to express community solidarity and denounce the attack.
Local leaders condemn the incident
The National Democratic Assembly in Nazareth also issued a strong condemnation of the group, stating in Arabic-language media that the incident was “an attack on Nazareth and its people” and “an attempt to sow discord and introduce foreign, divisive agendas into the community.”
“The attack on the church is not only a desecration of a holy site,” the Assembly said, “but an affront to the city’s national and cultural identity.”
