“With this sudden increase in bloodshed, we share the widespread concern that tensions will continue to increase during the rare confluence of major religious festivals among the three Abrahamic faiths: Ramadan, Pesach, and Holy Week/Easter,” the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches of Jerusalem said of a surge of violence in Israel and the West Bank.

“We therefore call upon the faithful within each of these three traditions to show forth the mutual respect and care for one’s neighbor that is central to the teachings of each.”