Arab political lists in Israel secured 19 seats in the 26th Knesset, a significant increase from the previous election. The Arab Joint List won 11 seats, while the United Arab List led by Mansour Abbas gained 8. The outlet reports that this stronger presence may help demand better economic conditions and reduced crime rates. The article attributes these gains to a rejection of long-standing Israeli policies aimed at marginalizing the Arab minority, which it claims include land confiscation, educational discrimination, and high unemployment rates compared to Jewish citizens. The author argues that despite demographic pressures, the Arab population remains a vital part of the country's fabric.
A senior Catholic leader in the Middle East issued a pastoral letter to believers across several nations, urging them to reject hatred and indifference amid ongoing regional conflict. He highlighted the severe economic and social impacts of the war, including unemployment and emigration. The leader described recent attacks as a watershed moment for local populations. He praised a specific church in a conflict zone for its resilience despite damage from military operations. He concluded by reminding the faithful that their hope stems from the Gospel, not material circumstances, and thanked the wider Catholic Church for its support.
Church leaders in Jerusalem have strongly condemned recent settler attacks on the Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank. Following violence during the olive harvest, including injuries to an American photographer and assaults on European diplomats, the patriarchs issued a joint statement demanding greater protection for residents. They also criticized remarks by Rabbi Dov Lior that justified taking Palestinian olives. Israeli police arrested suspects, and President Isaac Herzog condemned the violence. However, local Catholic priest Bashar Fawadleh reports that fear is growing as settlers continue to move freely despite military restrictions. The church leaders urge the international community to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of the Christian community in the region.
In an article published on October 25, 2026, Palestinian writer Ziad Medoukh details the ongoing suffering in Gaza three years after the conflict began. He reports that over 2.3 million residents live in destroyed buildings or tents, with casualty figures reaching 75,000 dead. Medoukh explains that the health system has collapsed and essential supplies are blocked at the Kerman Shalom crossing, making Gaza the world's most expensive city. He shares his personal grief after losing his mother on September 30 and highlights the difficulties in accessing medical care. The outlet notes that France has not honored its commitment to evacuate eligible patients under the Pause program.
In Jerusalem's Armenian Quarter, a Jewish man spat near St. James Cathedral and verbally abused an Armenian security guard who confronted him. Israeli journalist Gegham Balyan reported the incident on X, sharing video footage of the confrontation. The guard asked the man if he was ashamed of spitting on the monastery, but the man responded with insults and told him to shut up. This event follows a pattern of similar attacks against Armenians in Israel, including an incident on September 25 where Jewish extremists sprayed pepper spray into the face of a nine-year-old Armenian boy.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem told the Greek newspaper To Vima that Christian communities are exhausted by the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land. He described an unrelenting cycle of death and suffering, noting that declining pilgrim numbers and settler attacks have forced many families to leave. The Patriarch emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian corridors for Gaza and international solidarity to protect Holy Shrines. He also discussed diplomatic efforts with leaders like US President Donald Trump and Jordan’s King Abdullah II to preserve access to sacred sites and encourage young Christians to remain in their homeland through education and economic support.
A UN commission accused Israeli authorities of crimes against humanity in the West Bank, including extermination and torture, findings Israel rejected as an attempt to destroy the Jewish state. Separately, Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects linked to a deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in a village that killed nine people. In other news, former French Health Minister Michèle Barzach died at 83. Brazilian President Lula da Silva was re-elected, though his party lacks a parliamentary majority. Additionally, an ecumenical concert in a city in southern France was cancelled due to security concerns.
Paderborn Archbishop Udo Bentz has labeled the actions of radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank as violations of international law. Speaking to the Evangelical Press Service after a recent trip to Israel, Bentz highlighted increased attacks during the olive harvest, including tree destruction and land occupation. He argued that these acts, often met with inaction by security forces, threaten Palestinian livelihoods and contradict their right to exist. Bentz also expressed concern over the emigration of Christians from the region, noting that they face discrimination from both radical Palestinian and Israeli groups. He called for immediate political and church intervention to stabilize conditions and prevent further displacement.
An Israeli man spat on and cursed a guard at St. James Monastery in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter on Tuesday night, coinciding with Israel’s national elections. This marks the third documented assault on the site since August. The Religious Freedom Data Center reported 106 harassment incidents between July and September 2026, with spitting being the most common act. The center states the Armenian community suffers disproportionately, noting that thousands of visitors pass through the area daily. Police recently arrested a settler for pepper-spraying a child, though he was later released. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the Old City.
An image of an Israeli soldier smiling before a severely damaged church in Qouzah, Lebanon, has prompted appeals for Pope Leo XIV to intervene. The village in the Bint Jbeil District was historically majority Maronite Christian, but the Israeli invasion since March displaced nearly all residents. Local Christians and Vincent Gélöt of L'Œuvre d'Orient have petitioned authorities to allow the return of villagers and protect the 120-year-old sanctuary. Gélöt stated that attacking religious sites is unacceptable. Access to the village remains restricted by the IDF, leaving the full extent of the destruction uncertain. (zerohedge.com)
Israeli authorities report a significant increase in ISIS-related arrests since October 2023, with 46 operations thwarted compared to 50 in the previous nine years. The outlet notes that most plots involve Israeli Arab citizens and foreign networks, particularly from Syria. Although few attacks succeeded, the group aims to target Israel as a strategic priority. Security officials warn of rising threats, while analysts urge the US to treat ISIS as an independent danger rather than part of the Iranian axis.
A photograph of an Israeli soldier smiling in front of the historic Saint Joseph Church in Qaouzah, southern Lebanon, has caused indignation. The image, reported by L'Orient-Le Jour, shows the military personnel near the damaged temple in the occupied Christian village. Mayor Charbel Rizk urged Pope Leo XIV and Lebanese authorities to preserve the 120-year-old building, noting residents have been cut off since early March. Vincent Gélot of Obra de Oriente condemned attacks on religious sanctuaries. SOS Chrétiens de Jabal Amel criticized the Israeli Army's disrespect toward Christian buildings, recalling previous incidents in Dibil and Yaroun.
The International Mission Board reports that two women in Israel have recently converted to Christianity. In one case, a widow who had been friends with a believing family for years finally accepted Jesus after repeated gospel presentations. In the second instance, a woman visited a church for the first time, shared her struggles with leaders, and accepted the faith. The outlet highlights these conversions as examples of divine drawing, while requesting prayers for the new believers' spiritual growth and family acceptance. The events took place in Israel, where the group notes the significance of both long-term and first-time gospel encounters.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on UnsplashGood news
The Fratelli Liban initiative, founded eleven years ago by Lasallian and Marist brothers in Lebanon, continues its mission despite the renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah that began on March 2. According to Vatican News, the project operates in Sidon, providing socio-educational support to displaced persons, including refugees from Syria and Palestine, as well as those fleeing southern Lebanon. Missionary Guillermo Moreno states that while schools were temporarily closed for safety, programs have resumed. The initiative offers literacy, vocational training, and language courses to vulnerable populations, aiming to ensure equal opportunities for children through education and fraternity, even as the region faces significant humanitarian challenges.
Peter Tsukahira, a missionary with nearly 40 years of service in Israel, recently spoke at Taipei Lingxiang Church. He urged Christians to stop skipping Romans chapters 9 through 11, emphasizing that God has never rejected the Jewish people. Tsukahira, who co-founded the Mount Carmel Worship Center in Haifa, argued that replacement theology has caused the church to misunderstand God's redemptive plan. He highlighted the growing number of Jewish believers in Israel as a sign of future spiritual renewal. The pastor encouraged Chinese-speaking churches to learn from Western history and return to biblical foundations regarding Israel and the Gentiles. (Gospel Herald)
In Israel, Franciscan schools in Haifa, Acri, and Nazareth promote peace and dialogue despite ongoing regional conflict. Fra Badie Elias, head of the Custody of the Holy Land's educational network, states that these institutions educate students of all faiths to view others not as enemies. With a history spanning nearly four centuries, the schools serve as models for mutual respect. During the war, they also sheltered displaced families and provided financial aid to prevent students from dropping out due to economic hardship. The initiative aims to demonstrate that peaceful coexistence remains a practical possibility in a divided society.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reopened its school in Gaza on September 22, 2026, ending a nearly three-year suspension caused by the conflict that began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. The institution welcomed over 1,005 students, ranging from kindergarten to the 12th grade, along with 77 teachers. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the local parish priest, reported emotional reunions as families saw children return to classrooms. The Patriarchate emphasized that providing education is crucial for hope, despite ongoing shortages of materials and resources. The school also plans to offer psychological support activities for students and staff affected by the war.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Michel Abs, secretary general of the Middle East Council of Churches, stated that Christian humanitarian efforts in the Middle East must prioritize traumatized and orphaned children amid ongoing conflicts. The Beirut-based organization, which has supported Palestinian refugees since 1949, emphasized the need for transparent governance and accountability in aid distribution across Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank. Abs highlighted risks such as human trafficking and called for the protection of Christian communities from settler violence and discrimination. The group also addressed challenges related to Christian emigration and the necessity of improved church financial management to sustain local populations.
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria met in Jerusalem on September 25, 2026, to discuss the importance of Orthodox Church unity. Theophilos warned that internal divisions weaken the Church's witness in a world marked by war and violence. Daniel highlighted the historical role of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in resolving the Bulgarian schism and called for peace in the Holy Land. During the visit, Daniel received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. The leaders emphasized reconciliation and shared faith as essential responses to contemporary global conflicts.
Catholic aid organizations appealed to global leaders at the UN to halt escalating violence in the Middle East. They condemned daily bombings and forced displacement affecting populations across the region. The groups demanded an immediate ceasefire, citing ongoing violations, and called for accountability for war crimes. They highlighted severe humanitarian crises, including food insecurity and lack of shelter in conflict zones. They urged the deployment of UN peacekeepers and strict enforcement of international court rulings to protect civilians and end illegal settlements. (Agencia Ecclesia)
Caritas Internationalis and its regional branch issued a statement calling for an end to suffering in the Middle East. The organization highlights critical conditions in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. According to the statement, civilians face bombardment, displacement, and restricted access to basic goods. Caritas urges member states to enforce ceasefires, ensure humanitarian access, and uphold international law. The group emphasizes the need for accountability and protection of civilians amid ongoing conflicts and violations of human rights norms across the region.
A parish priest in Gaza supports awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to local children, highlighting that over 20,000 have died and urging global attention to children in all conflicts. The parish school is set to reopen for approximately 1,000 students. Catholic leaders in the Holy Land emphasize that returning to education represents a vital sign of hope and a space for coexistence. This initiative aims to restore normalcy for children amidst the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing conflict, serving as a beacon of resilience for the community.
On September 15, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem met with Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and a delegation from Russia and Estonia. The Patriarch emphasized the Holy Land's role as a spiritual center for Christian unity and peace. Metropolitan Barsanuphius, acting with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, praised Theophilos as a zealous advocate for Orthodox unity and a man of prayer. The meeting addressed global tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Gifts were exchanged between the parties to mark the occasion. The event highlights ongoing ecclesiastical dialogue between the Jerusalem and Russian Orthodox Churches.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, launched the 'Within Your Gates' forum on September 7 in Jerusalem. The initiative, developed with the University of Notre Dame in Jerusalem, aims to unite scholars and practitioners from various faiths to explore the city's universal identity. According to the cardinal, the project seeks to recover a shared vision of Jerusalem beyond current political conflicts and the violence following October 7, 2023. The board includes figures such as Sari Nusseibeh and Sarah Stroumsa. The forum intends to foster serious dialogue and interdisciplinary research to promote coexistence and peace in the Holy Land. (ZENIT)
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
