Church leaders in Jerusalem convened with United States Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley at the Orthodox Patriarchate to address pressing concerns facing local Christian communities. The discussions focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the safety of Christians in the region, and ongoing disputes over church property taxes in Israel. The senators, known for supporting measures to halt arms sales to Israel, listened to the leaders' appeals and shared their perspectives. The visit also included meetings with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his deputy in Ramallah.