President Reuven Rivlin visited the Apostolic Armenian Church in Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday morning and met with leaders of the Christian community in Israel. He was welcomed by Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian, Israel National News reports.

President Rivlin thanked Patriarch Manougian for his and his community’s hospitality. “A meeting with leaders of your community is always important to me, but during these days, is perhaps even more important.” He stressed, “These are difficult times for our city. Terror and death have returned to our streets. The violent attacks all over the city cause growing fear and with fear comes intolerance and hatred.”

President Rivlin reiterated Israel’s commitment to the values of freedom of worship, and to the well-being of the Christian community which was facing persecution across the Middle East.