Vandals Desecrate Maronite Hall in Nahariya on All Saints
Maronite and Melkite leaders demand a full probe and lasting protection after sacred images were smashed near the Lebanese border.
On November 1, 2026, the Solemnity of All Saints, unidentified individuals entered the Maronite prayer hall of Saints Peter and Paul in Nahariya, a city of about 60,000 in northern Israel near the Lebanese border. They damaged the hall's contents, broke statues, and vandalized religious images. The faithful discovered the destruction on Sunday.
In a statement signed by Archbishop Moussa El-Hage, the Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa called the incident "a grave and unacceptable attack, not only against Church property but, above all, against the sacred character of a place dedicated to worship and against the right of the faithful to practice their religion freely, safely and with dignity."
The archeparchy asked the competent authorities and security services to investigate immediately, identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible, and to take measures to protect the site and prevent any recurrence. It affirmed that the community "will continue to use this hall and hold our prayers there, with faith, determination and serenity." The statement added: "Forgiveness does not mean remaining silent in the face of aggression, and love does not mean relinquishing our rights. Seeking justice is a duty from which we cannot shirk."
Church Leaders Demand Protection
In a separate statement signed by Bishop Youssef Matta, the Melkite Archeparchy of Haifa, Akko, Nazareth and all Galilee condemned the attack. It said the assault targets not only the Maronite community but "the whole Church" and violates freedom of belief and human dignity. The Melkite archeparchy urged the authorities to open a serious and urgent investigation, warning that no stable society can be built while violence and vandalism are tolerated.
For Catholics who know the Holy Land as the living setting of the Gospel, an attack on a place of prayer on All Saints' Day strikes at both worship and witness. The local Churches' call is clear: justice must be pursued, the sacred must be safeguarded, and the faithful must be free to gather without fear. The Maronite community of Nahariya has already answered in the only language proper to the Church — continued prayer in the same hall, with determination and serenity.