Rivlin to church leaders: Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem won’t harm religious freedom

27 December 2018, 2:43 pm

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President Reuven Rivlin hosts local Christian religious leaders at his official residence in Jerusalem for a New Year’s reception.

“Our sovereignty over Jerusalem will never compromise the freedom of worship and religion of all peoples of faith in Jerusalem and in all of Israel,” he says, according to a statement from his office.

Rivlin also addresses proposed legislation that would allow the state to confiscate church lands sold to private investors.

The State of Israel has no intention of harming the property rights of the churches or their ability to realize their assets to support their activities. We will never do that,” he says.

The bill has been strongly opposed by church leaders and the government last month delayed a discussion on it.