A Christmas tree featuring photos of dozens of Palestinian terrorists killed while attacking Israeli Jews has been erected in eastern Jerusalem.

Until the past weekend, the tree had attracted many visitors, both Muslims and Christians. Among them was Archbishop of Sebastia Theodosios, better known as Atallah Hanna.

Channel 2 News reported that Hanna told those gathered at the tree that it constituted a “Christmas message [from] the heart of Palestine – we are one nation defending one issue…standing firm and remaining in the Holy Land.”

Israel Border Police later arrived and removed the photos of the dead terrorists from the tree’s branches.

Last month, Hanna’s boss, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, attended a party at President Reuven Rivlin’s official residence, and openly praised Israel’s protection of Christians.

Stated Theophilos:

"We take the opportunity of this holiday gathering to express our gratitude to you for the firmness with which you defend the freedoms that lie at the heart of this democracy – especially the freedom of worship.

“The State of Israel takes pride in the fact that [it] was founded on democratic principles in the Middle East and that it guarantees full freedom of worship; and we are confident, Mr. President, that you will continue to resist any restrictions on religious practices.”

Theophilos is Greek, while Hanna is just the second Palestinian Arab to hold his current title. Many traditional churches in the Land turn far more anti-Israel when they appoint local Arab priests to positions of leadership.

PHOTO: Illustration (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)