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The article calls on Greece and the European Union to move beyond statements of solidarity and adopt concrete diplomatic and economic measures to protect Christians across the Middle East.

Amman – Ishtar TV

An article published by the Middle East Forum on October 29, 2026, has called for concrete international action beyond expressions of condemnation and condolences following the massacre at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan’s Karak Governorate, which left nine people dead and dozens injured during a funeral on October 23.

Written by journalist Christos Konstantinidis, the article argues that protecting Christians in the Middle East requires clear government commitments, diplomatic engagement and economic measures to ensure the safety of Christian communities and their ability to remain in their homelands.

Jordanian arrests and airstrikes in Syria

The article reported that Jordanian authorities arrested two brothers and their brother-in-law in connection with the attack. On October 26, the Jordanian air force carried out strikes against targets in southern Syria, which Amman said were linked to terrorist cells involved in the attack.

It also noted that thousands attended the funerals of the nine victims on October 25. Crown Prince Hussein and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan represented King Abdullah II, conveying the Jordanian leadership’s solidarity with the bereaved families.

The massacre prompted widespread condemnation from Greece, the United States, Israel, Cyprus, several Arab governments, the European Union, the United Nations and church leaders.

Calls for a stronger role from Greece

A central theme of the article is the role Greece should play in defending Orthodox Christians and other Christian communities across the region, given Athens’ historical, ecclesiastical and diplomatic ties with these communities.

The article quoted strategic analyst and former Greek National Intelligence Service officer Savvas Kalenteridis, who questioned why no Greek minister attended the victims’ funerals. He also criticized what he described as limited political and media attention in Greece to the massacre.

The author called on Athens to establish permanent communication channels with representatives of Christian communities, document threats against them and demand concrete protection commitments from relevant governments before families are forced to leave their homelands and seek refuge abroad.

European Union urged to use its leverage

The article also highlighted calls by Nikolas Farantouris, a Member of the European Parliament and member of its Committee on Foreign Affairs, urging EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to take action to protect threatened Christian communities in the Middle East and Africa.

Farantouris has advocated economic sanctions, an embargo on arms and equipment, and the suspension of development assistance to countries that fail to take adequate measures to protect Christian communities.

The article further noted that the European Union has earmarked €620 million for Syria for 2026–2027. This includes €280 million for stabilization, institutions and recovery, and €210 million in humanitarian assistance for 2026.

The author argued that such financial commitments could provide Brussels with significant leverage to secure guarantees from Syrian authorities regarding the protection of vulnerable communities.

The article called on the EU to establish clear deadlines for investigations and prosecutions, monitor the protection of churches, impose targeted sanctions on officials who turn a blind eye to attacks, and suspend development assistance when authorities fail to meet their obligations, while maintaining independent humanitarian aid.

Proposal for a European monitoring and early-warning mechanism

The article proposed establishing a European early-warning mechanism to collect reports of abuses targeting Christians, fund security infrastructure for threatened churches and communities, and publish regular assessments of government compliance.

It also urged EU delegations to visit threatened areas and parishes, verify protection measures on the ground, and publish regular progress reports.

The author referred to previous attacks against churches and Christian property in Syria, including the suicide bombing at the Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus on June 22, 2025, which killed 25 people, and the attack on Hagia Sophia Church in Suqaylabiyah in 2022.

The article stressed that protecting Christians must go beyond legal provisions and political statements, becoming a practical guarantee of security, rights and religious pluralism.

“Christian Lives Matter”: A message beyond Jordan

The article concluded that the families of the Karak victims, along with Christians throughout the Middle East, need genuine security guarantees that will allow them to remain in their homelands.

It called for the slogan “Christian Lives Matter” to become an international rallying cry against religious persecution and violence.

The author argued that international institutions must address attacks against Christians and other religious communities with the same seriousness afforded to other humanitarian and political crises.

It urged Athens and Brussels to make the protection of threatened communities and accountability for attacks clear conditions of their diplomatic partnerships and financial assistance.