An Arab Christian from Nazareth has organized his church to deliver food packets to elderly and needy families during the coronavirus lockdown. What surprised the local mayor was when the church also delivered crates of matzot to ensure the Jewish families could properly celebrate Passover.

Israel Today spoke with Salim, the Arab pastor who loves Israel and the Jewish people.

“When I called Mayor Ronen Plot at 7:30 in the morning he was just as surprised as I was that he answered the phone,” Salim said. Mayor Plot of Nof HaGalil, the Jewish community of Upper Nazareth, was shocked to hear that an Arab was interested in helping Jewish families. Even more unheard of was the fact that Pastor Salim’s church wanted to help the mayor’s Jewish residents celebrate Passover during this challenging time.

Pastor Salim (left) meeting with Mayor Ronen Plot in Nof Hagalil.

“We are bringing cases of food goods, unleavened bread and wine for our Jewish neighbors to celebrate the holiday,” the Arab pastor told Mayor Plot. “When I told the mayor about our plans, he wanted to meet me personally to learn more about our church community,” Salim said.

The pastor explained to the mayor that his church loves the Jewish people. “I used to hate the Jews,” Salim explained. “They crucified my Savior!” he said. Salim went on to explain how his faith in the Jewish Messiah changed him and taught him to love the Jews. He now sees the Jewish people as his “older brother.”

In addition to his humanitarian aid for the Corona stricken Galilee community in Nazareth where he was born, Salim also volunteers for his local police department. Salim has given his testimony to a group of US senators at the White House.