His comments appeared directed at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, while wearing a cross on his forehead on Ash Wednesday in an interview with Fox News, reaffirmed Trump’s earlier threats to Hamas and the people of Gaza.
“He (Trump) doesn’t say these things and not mean it, as folks are finding out around the world,” Rubio said. “If he says he’s going to do something, he’ll do it. He’ll do it. And so they’ve got to take that seriously.”
Archbishop Hanna, who heads the Sebastia Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, has been a vocal critic of the Israeli occupation and a prominent advocate for Palestinian rights.
Born in the Galilean village of Al Rameh in Historic Palestine in 1965, he has led the diocese since 2005 and is known for promoting Palestinian unity and Christian-Muslim coexistence.
Archbishop Hanna said true Christianity requires standing with the oppressed, not those who commit injustices.
“Anyone who wishes to take pride in the cross must learn from the crucified the values of love, mercy, and humanity,” he said.
“A true Christian must align with the oppressed, the suffering, and the persecuted—not with those who inflict violence and injustice on nations.”
Hanna denounced politicians who claim Christian identity while ignoring Palestinian suffering.
“To claim Christianity while supporting oppression, tyranny, and the suppression of our people raises serious questions: Where are Christian values in all of this? Why do these politicians persist in distorting Christianity’s message as though they were an enemy within the Church, targeting it from the inside?”
Taking on Trump, too!
In separate statements on Thursday, Archbishop Hanna condemned what he described as the “reckless and off-balance” statements made by US President Trump against the Palestinian people.
Earlier in the day, President Trump made what amounted to death threats against the Gaza population on his social media platform, Truth Social.
"I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say."
Trump's threats on his social media platform, Truth Social, followed the White House’s confirmation that he had recently dispatched an envoy for direct talks with the Palestinian group Hamas.
He issued what he called a “last warning” to Hamas and then the entire Gaza population.
"This is your last warning! For the leadership now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have a chance.”
“Also to the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"
In response, Archbishop Hanna accused Trump, who has been marketing a plan for the US to displace 2.3 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to build a Riviera in the ME, of refusing to acknowledge Palestinians as a people.
“Is he even aware that there is a Palestinian people on this earth, whether in Palestine, in refugee camps, or in the diaspora?” he asked.
“Does he recognize that Palestinians are educated and aware, and that wherever they are—including in the United States, which he leads—they excel and innovate?”
Archbishop Hanna denounced attempts to portray Palestinians as “merely a gang of criminals, murderers, and terrorists” while ignoring the reality of “a people who uphold high human, cultural, and civilizational values.”
He said Palestinians cherish life and freedom, which they have made and continue to make sacrifices.
Addressing Trump’s advisers—particularly those of Arab descent—he urged them to challenge the president’s rhetoric.
“There is a Palestinian people on this earth, and their existence cannot be erased by a reckless, unbalanced, and irrational speech.”
A just peace!
Archbishop Hanna said Trump's rhetoric fuels injustice rather than peace.
“Peace cannot be built at the expense of our people and their just cause, nor can it be established by denying their existence, their rights, and their resilience on this land,” he said.
He called for international pressure on Israel, saying that those truly committed to peace must demand: “Stop your aggression and targeting of the Palestinian people.” He argued that ending the occupation and restoring justice was the only path to real peace.
In a direct message to Trump, Archbishop Hanna said: “Palestinians are a people, and the Palestinian human being is, above all, a human being—created by God just like every other human being in this world. The Palestinian is not made of a different substance from anyone else, regardless of their religion, belief, or skin colour.”
Archbishop Hanna called on world leaders to reconsider their positions on Palestine.
“The politicians and tyrants of this world, blinded by aggression and arrogance, should be prayed for—especially during this holy season of fasting—so that they may return to their humanity and become more just and fair.”
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