The letter was signed by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops; Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Apostolic Church; Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.
The letter argued that the work of the churches – which includes health care, schools, and other charitable work – is integral to their mission, and benefits the greater Jerusalem community.
The group also sent a letter to the Armenian and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem and to Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, expressing their "fervent solidarity" with not only their Churches, but also with all Christians currently living in the area.
"We will continue to press the Israeli government on your behalf," they said, adding that they would be in support of any "peaceful and lawful measures" taken to preserve the Christian community.
"We note with grave concern that the ability of a number of the churches to continue their important activities already has been impaired or even halted by tax liens against several of their bank accounts," they said, elaborating that they impede the work done by the churches.
"These acts stifle the immediate work of the church as well as create a long-term situation that threatens the very existence of the Christian community in the Holy Land."