The Plight of Palestinian Christians
December 6, 2007
What is it like to be a Christian in Palestinian-controlled areas? According to Justus Weiner, a scholar at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, it's difficult and often dangerous. Earlier this week, Weiner presented a sober perspective of the plight of Christians in Palestinian-controlled areas.
For the past 10 years, Weiner interviewed scores of Palestinian Christians. Many of them related stories of discrimination, threats, land being expropriated or stolen. Some have been too terrified to even give their names. Tens of thousands have immigrated to various parts of the world. Often the source is Muslim persecution and it's had a devastating impact on the Christian communities.
Weiner cited Bethlehem as a case study of what's been happening for almost 20 years. In 1990, he pointed out, Bethlehem's population was 60 percent Christian. Today, its Christian population is less than 20 percent. Tragically, this is typical of many Christian communities in the Middle East.
He cited recent cases, such as Rami Ayyad, a Christian worker killed in Gaza, and Isa Bajalia, a Christian pastor in Ramallah who life has been threatened. The situation is also desperate for Muslims who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, who often live their lives on the run.
If you'd like to read more about this crisis, you can read Weiner's report on this called: "Christians Flee Growing Islamic Fundamentalism in the Holy Land." It's on the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs website.
You can also listen to an excerpt from an interview CBN News did with Weiner. And finally, please pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land.
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