Despite Vatican-Israel Tensions, Catholics and Jews Work to Build Trust in Haifa

December 24, 2025

In a rare display of interfaith unity, Catholics and Jews in Haifa, Israel, came together to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, despite ongoing tensions between the Vatican and Israel. According to NPR Politics, the event was a testament to the growing trust between the two communities, with an estimated 4,000 Maronite Catholics attending the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at St. Louis the King Cathedral.

At the ceremony, Rev. Yousef Yacoub, a Catholic priest, invited Rabbi Na'ama Dafni of Or Hadash, a Reform congregation, to light a blue-and-white braided candle and say a nondenominational prayer, according to NPR News. The gesture was a significant moment in the growing relationship between the two communities, with Rabbi Dafni stating, "We are not just coexisting, we are building a relationship, and that's what's so beautiful about it."

The event was a stark contrast to the tensions between the Vatican and Israel, which have been escalating in recent months. However, according to Rev. Yacoub, the interfaith gathering was a reminder that there is more that unites the two communities than divides them. "We are not just Christians and Jews, we are human beings, and we have so much in common," he said.

The growing trust between Catholics and Jews in Haifa is a result of years of effort by community leaders to build bridges between the two faiths. According to Rabbi Dafni, the key to this success has been a willingness to listen and learn from each other. "We have to understand that we are not just different, we are complementary," she said.

The event was also attended by other community leaders, including representatives from the Israeli government. According to an unnamed government official, the event was a significant moment in the country's efforts to promote interfaith understanding. "This is a great example of what can be achieved when people come together in peace and respect," the official said.

Despite the progress made in Haifa, the Vatican-Israel tensions remain a significant challenge. However, according to Rev. Yacoub, the interfaith gathering was a reminder that even in the midst of conflict, there is always hope for peace and understanding. "We may have our differences, but we are all human beings, and we deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," he said.

As the holiday season comes to a close, the people of Haifa are looking to the future with hope and optimism. According to Rabbi Dafni, the interfaith gathering was just the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Catholics and Jews in the city. "We are not just building trust, we are building a community, and that's what's so exciting about it," she said.

In conclusion, the interfaith gathering in Haifa was a significant moment in the growing relationship between Catholics and Jews in the city. Despite ongoing tensions between the Vatican and Israel, the event was a testament to the power of interfaith understanding and cooperation. As the people of Haifa look to the future, they are doing so with hope and optimism, knowing that even in the midst of conflict, there is always the possibility for peace and understanding.