U.S. Denies Visas to Palestinian Pastors Ahead of Separate Events
Two Palestinian church leaders were denied U.S. visas, preventing them from speaking at separate events in Washington D.C. and Atlanta. Father Issa Thaljieh, a priest from Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, was scheduled to speak at a Washington gathering on November 16. Pastor Munther Isaac, from Bethlehem’s Christmas Lutheran Church, was expected to attend a convention in Atlanta.
Organizers stated that Father Thaljieh’s visa was rejected on security grounds. The U.S. State Department provided a general explanation of its visa standards but did not offer specific reasons for either denial. This decision means Father Thaljieh will not be able to share firsthand accounts of Palestinian communities’ experiences. His sister, Honey Thaljieh, who received a visa, is expected to speak in his place at the Washington event.
The State Department maintains that visa decisions consider national security and that all applicants must meet U.S. immigration law requirements. They typically do not disclose specific reasons for visa denials. The refusal of these visas has drawn criticism from organizers who feel it silences important voices.
Washington Event Focuses on Accountability and Palestinian Experiences
The Washington program, organized by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant leaders, aims to urge Congress to hold Israeli settlers and the military accountable. It also seeks to limit U.S. weapons transfers to Israel. The event’s agenda connects the planned testimonies to the ongoing conflict, including deaths and injuries in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Reports indicate a significant number of Palestinian casualties since October 7, 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and injured. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has also documented thousands of deaths and injuries from attacks involving Israeli forces and settlers.
The event also highlights a previous congressional action where 46 Democratic senators and Republican Rand Paul supported a measure requiring a State Department report on abuses in the West Bank. This measure included the killings of Americans in the region. The visa denials occurred shortly after a separate U.S. action in September, where a Palestinian delegation, including Mahmoud Abbas, was denied entry before a UN General Assembly meeting. The State Department cited alleged failures by Palestinian officials to uphold agreements, legal actions against Israel, and payments to families of prisoners convicted of attacks.
Atlanta Convention Explores Christian Zionism’s Impact
Pastor Munther Isaac’s planned participation in the Atlanta convention, “Church at the Crossroads,” was focused on discussing Christian Zionism and its effects on Palestinians. This convention, organized by the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice (BIPJ), is affiliated with Bethlehem Bible College. Isaac described the event as an opportunity for American evangelicals to engage with Palestinian Christians and examine how their theology impacts Palestinians.
The convention saw over 500 attendees, similar to its previous year’s turnout. Isaac had previously visited the United States multiple times, including in September 2025. BIPJ noted a shift in perspective among some American evangelicals, particularly younger ones, regarding discussions about Israel and Palestine. These younger believers are reportedly asking more complex questions, which is influencing the broader conversation.
Sister to Speak in Place of Denied Pastor
The Washington gathering is scheduled to take place at the United Methodist Building. Speakers are expected to advocate for congressional accountability regarding Israeli settlers and the military, and for restrictions on U.S. weapons sales to Israel. Other speakers include Reverend Mitri Raheb and Mother Agapia. A significant part of the program involves reading the names of children killed in Gaza from a cloth bearing over 20,000 names.
This cloth is also set to be displayed at the Islamic Center of Maryland, where a funeral prayer for the absent will be held for over 22,000 children. Honey Thaljieh is expected to deliver her brother’s message at the Washington event, emphasizing that while a visa can be denied, the truth and the voices of a people cannot be silenced by such actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the Palestinian pastors denied U.S. visas?
The U.S. State Department stated the visas were denied based on general security grounds and U.S. immigration law requirements, without giving specific reasons for each case.
What was the purpose of the Washington D.C. event?
The event aimed to urge Congress to hold Israeli settlers and the military accountable and to limit U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, while also sharing firsthand accounts of Palestinian experiences.
What was the focus of the Atlanta convention?
The convention, ‘Church at the Crossroads,’ was intended to discuss Christian Zionism and its effects on Palestinians, offering American evangelicals a chance to engage with Palestinian Christians.
Who will speak at the Washington D.C. event in place of the denied pastor?
Father Issa Thaljieh’s sister, Honey Thaljieh, who received a visa, is expected to speak at the Washington event and share her brother’s message.
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