On 19 July 2018 Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén paid a private visit to Bethlehem.

In the Church of the Nativity he was received by Ziad al-Bandak, Palestinian presidential advisor for Christian Affairs, and together they viewed the refurbishment works currently under way in the church towards which Hungary made donations in 2011 and also in 2018. The Palestinian partner introduced the status of the works, and thanked Hungary for its ongoing support. By supporting the Church of the Nativity Hungary supports not only Palestine and the local Christian community, but equally contributes to the preservation of one of Christianity’s most important holy sites as well.

Mr Semjén underlined that in 2011 Hungary was the first foreign state to make a contribution to the reconstruction of the church. Hungary looks upon the cause of supporting Christian churches and communities in the Middle East as a priority, and they can rely on our support also in the future. After the meeting, in the company of Dr Nassar Khamis, Hungary’s honorary consul in Bethlehem, the Deputy Prime Minister visited possible sites for a Hungarian pilgrimage centre planned to be erected in Bethlehem.

(MTI)