The conference featured a peace-oriented speech by Director-General Noaz Bar Nir (center), as well as heads of the Latin, Greek Orthodox, Orthodox, Ethiopian, Lutheran and Scottish Churches in Israel.

"We are very pleased with the increase in Canadian Christians of all denominations arriving in Israel this holiday season," says Oded Grofman, Consul for Tourism and Director, Israel Government Tourist Office - Canada, "And we look forward to this trend continuing throughout 2010."

Monsignor Antonio Franco, Vatican Ambassador to Israel, was also in attendance, along with Anglican Bishop Suheil Dawani, Friar Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Reverend Malcolm Hedding, and Elias Al Arja, Chairman of the Palestinian Hotels Association.

For more information about travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.ca.