Under these circumstances of persecution faced by Christians in the Holy Land, Israel should not be viewed—and should not present itself—as a savior or a source of protection. Religion must be excluded from state-led negotiations, which are conducted between states. Everyone retains the right to reject or support the steps taken or those to come, as all matters remain subject to discussion, review, and scrutiny—especially when agreement texts are ambiguous, incomplete, and backed by sponsors whom we may or may not trust. This is irrelevant, however, because they are not a matter of choice but an imposed reality.
