# Bethlehem Church of the Nativity priest denied visa to speak at US event

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/bethlehem-church-of-the-nativity-priest-denied-visa-to-speak-at-us-event/
- Published: 2026-11-13T00:15:24+00:00
- Original publisher: Middle East Eye (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bethlehem-church-nativity-priest-denied-us-visa-speak-washington-dc-event
- Topics: Americas, World

## Key points

- Bethlehem priest Issa Thaljieh was refused a US visa.
- His sister will speak for him at a Washington event.
- Clergy plan to urge Congress to address West Bank attacks.

## Summary

Father Issa Thaljieh, a Palestinian priest at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, has been denied a US visa to speak at a Washington gathering about Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages. The decision means he cannot give his account directly to US clergy and lawmakers, as faith leaders prepare to press Congress over violence in the West Bank and US support for Israel.

His sister, Honey Thaljieh, whose visa was approved, is due to speak for him at Monday’s event near the US Capitol. Organisers say the gathering will call for accountability for settlers and the Israeli military and limits on US weapons transfers to Israel; it follows a September vote in which 46 Democratic senators and Republican Rand Paul backed a measure seeking a State Department report on abuses in the West Bank. The article also reports that Bethlehem pastor Munther Isaac was recently denied a visa to attend a Christian conference in Atlanta, while noting that US authorities are not generally required to explain visa refusals.

## Coverage

- [Middle East Eye: Bethlehem Church of the Nativity priest denied visa to speak at US event](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bethlehem-church-nativity-priest-denied-us-visa-speak-washington-dc-event)
- [Middle East Eye: Bethlehem Church of the Nativity priest denied visa to speak at US event](https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/bethlehem-church-nativity-priest-denied-visa-speak-us-event)

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.