Orthodox Church condemns attacks on Christians in Jordan and Palestine

The Orthodox Church condemned a wave of attacks on Christians in the Middle East after gunmen opened fire during a Friday funeral at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, Jordan. Nine people were killed and about 40 wounded; King Abdullah II and Jordanian officials vowed to apprehend those responsible, and security forces were deployed across Karak governorate. The Orthodox Public Affairs Committee also condemned masked Israeli settlers’ attacks on Palestinian civilians, Christian clergy, and European diplomats in Taybeh, calling for investigations, prosecutions, and stronger protection for Christian communities. Russia denounced the Jordan shooting as a terrorist act intended to undermine interfaith harmony in the country.