Christian Leaders Hold Emergency Summit in Jerusalem to Address Rising Antisemitism

Church leaders from across the Christian world convened in Jerusalem this week for an emergency summit on antisemitism, responding to what organizers described as a sharp and sustained increase in attacks on Jewish communities worldwide.

The gathering brought together evangelical pastors, Catholic bishops, and mainline Protestant leaders from the United States, Europe, and Africa. Participants signed a joint declaration condemning antisemitism in all forms and calling on Christian congregations to speak out against it from the pulpit.

Organizers pointed to data showing a rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe and North America over the past two years. In May 2026, anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe also reached a new high, with several arson attacks on churches recorded in France and Germany. Summit leaders said the two trends are connected, arguing that religious hatred of any kind must be confronted together.

The Rev. Dr. Johnnie Moore, a prominent American evangelical leader, told reporters that Christian silence on antisemitism has been a historic failure. "We have a debt to the Jewish people," he said. "This summit is about paying part of that debt."

Israeli officials welcomed the gathering. A representative from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the opening session and thanked the Christian leaders for their public stand.

The summit also addressed the situation of Christians in the Middle East, where church populations have declined sharply due to regional conflict. Leaders called for international pressure to protect religious minorities across the region.

A follow-up conference is planned for later in 2026, with a focus on practical steps congregations can take to build relationships with local Jewish communities.