U.S. Ambassador Visits Beit Jimal Monastery, March 6, 2019

U.S. Ambassador David M. Friedman paid a visit today (March 6, 2019) to the beautiful and historical Beit Jimal Monastery, together with the Israeli NGO Tag Meir, to strongly condemn multiple vandalism attacks on the monastery and its cemetery in recent years. The Ambassador said that all those who believe in religious freedom have a duty to stand up to protect and defend religious minorities.

The monastery is built where Christians believe St. Stephen was buried, and is named after Raban Gamliel (Gamliel the Elder), president of the Jewish Sanhedrin in the first century. Interfaith friendship is a key part of the strong bonds between Americans and Israelis.