00:00After growing up in Jaffa's mix of cultures and faiths, George Deke is returning home in a role much bigger
00:07than himself.
00:08The 42-year-old diplomat has been appointed Israel's special envoy to the Christian world,
00:14tasked with strengthening ties with Christian communities in Israel and abroad.
00:19Christians are safe and prosperous in the Holy Land.
00:22And whoever raises a hand against our fellow Christians is and will be dealt with severely.
00:28Deke is the first Arab-Israeli Christian to serve as an ambassador, representing Israel in Azerbaijan before taking on his
00:36new role.
00:37On X, Deke called the appointment closing a circle, writing that his childhood faith and community helped shape his life
00:44and his diplomatic mission.
00:46The appointment comes as many Christians in the region feel increasingly under threat.
00:50Earlier this month, terrorists threw Molotov cocktails at a church with people praying at the time,
00:58the church in the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria.
01:02Deke says he also plans to advocate for persecuted Christian communities in Africa, including Mozambique,
01:08where Islamist extremists recently attacked a historic Catholic church and school.
01:13Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Giron Saar met with his German counterpart in Berlin,
01:19assuring Israel's efforts to protect and empower Christians in the Holy Land.
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