Church of Scotland Moderator Meets Christian Leader to Hear Israel-Palestine Concerns

The Moderator of the Church of Scotland is continuing the Church’s engagement with Christians in the Holy Land by meeting with Daoud Nasser of the Tent of Nations in Bethlehem.

The meeting, scheduled for October 5 in Scotland, will give the Moderator an opportunity to hear directly about the situation facing Nasser and his community and receive a wider perspective on the Christian presence in Israel and Palestine. The engagement is part of the Moderator’s programme of meetings with churches and ecumenical partners during the year.

Nasser is associated with the Tent of Nations, a Christian-owned farm and educational project near Bethlehem that has become known for its commitment to peace, reconciliation and non-violence. His family has faced a long-running legal struggle over the land, while continuing to promote a message of reconciliation.

The Church of Scotland has maintained a relationship with Israel and Palestine for more than 150 years. Its presence in the region includes St Andrew’s Church in Jerusalem, the Scots House and its work with Christian partners and development organisations. 

The Church also maintains connections with churches and organisations working for peace, justice and reconciliation.

The Moderator’s meeting comes as the Church of Scotland continues to pay close attention to the experience of Christians living in the region. Earlier this year, Moderator Rt Rev Rosie Frew expressed the Church’s solidarity with Christian communities in Palestine and Israel, offering prayers for peace, an end to violence and the protection of the Christian community.

For the Church of Scotland, listening to Christians living in the Holy Land is an important part of understanding the realities facing local communities. The Church has previously said that sharing the voices of Palestinian Christians and maintaining relationships with churches in the region are central to its engagement.

At its 2025 General Assembly, the Church of Scotland called on its members to continue praying for peace with justice in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. It also instructed its Israel Palestine Committee to continue sharing the voices and experiences of people from the region, particularly Palestinian Christians.

The October meeting therefore provides another opportunity for the Church to hear from someone directly connected to a Christian community in Bethlehem and to reflect on the challenges facing Christians in the wider Holy Land.

For Christians around the world, the situation remains a reminder of the importance of prayer, listening and solidarity with believers living in places where conflict and uncertainty continue to shape everyday life.

The Church of Scotland has encouraged Christians to pray for all those affected by the conflict and to seek greater understanding of the experiences of both Israelis and Palestinians. Its ongoing engagement reflects a desire to support peace, justice and reconciliation while maintaining relationships with Christian communities across the region.

As the Moderator meets with Daoud Nasser, the conversation will bring the experience of Christians in the Holy Land closer to the Scottish Church and provide an opportunity to hear directly about their hopes, challenges and continuing witness.