There is no point in banning Copts from visiting Jerusalem: Pope Tawadros II of Egypt

CAIRO – 8 January 2022: There is no point in banning the visits of Copts to Jerusalem at the moment, as such decision has weakened Coptic presence in the holy city, Pope Tawadros II of Egypt aid Friday.

In an interview with the Egyptian T.V. on Channel One, the People said the visits encouraged handicrafts by the Copts, and since the ban, the industry has suffered.

He said a Coptic bishop in Jerusalem is important for Egyptians, and that he stayed in Jerusalem for four days after the passing of Bishop Abraham in 2015. Bishop Theodor al-Anthony was appointed in Jerusalem in 2016. After that, Coptic visits to Jerusalem increased slightly, according to Pope Tawadros.

The ban has been in place since 1967, which applies on all Egyptians. Egyptian popes have sided with the ban over the years, although Coptic pilgrimage to Jerusalem have never entirely ceased. During Easter of every year, hundreds of Copts travel to the holy city, albeit after security permits in Egypt.