Israel has begun preparations to mark the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus's baptism in the Jordan River in 2030. The Foreign Ministry established a working group headed by Israeli Ambassador George Deek to coordinate with Christian leaders globally and manage an anticipated influx of millions of pilgrims for what is described as "an event of profound spiritual significance for more than two billion Christians worldwide."
The commemoration marks two thousand years since the baptism occurred in the Jordan River, situated roughly 6 miles east of Jericho and north of the Dead Sea. Scholarly estimates for the date of Jesus's baptism vary, with many placing it between 27 - 29, while others date it to around 30, based on differing interpretations of Gospel chronology and the reign of Emperor Tiberius.
"For me as a Christian and as Israel's special envoy to the Christian world, this mission is deeply personal," Deek said. "It is an opportunity for Israel to honor the Christian heritage of the Holy Land, strengthen its dialogue with Christian communities worldwide, and ensure that pilgrims who come here can experience the places at the heart of their faith with dignity, safety and a true sense of welcome."
Israel's Christian population numbers approximately 185,000, representing just under 2 percent of the country's population, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Nearly 80 percent of Israeli Christians are Arab. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with a growing Christian community.
Jordan is also conducting major infrastructure initiatives and raising funds to accommodate pilgrims at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, an archaeological site on the east bank of the Jordan River also believed to be the baptism location.