What do Palestinian Christians report about their situation?
From visits to the Holy Land and in dialogue with church leaders
and congregants, US churches have heard that the most pressing
issues affecting the daily life of Christians, as well as Muslims,
are related to the occupation and the conflict. The route of
Israel’s
separation barrier, the presence and expansion of Israeli
settlements and the difficulty in reaching jobs, schools, health
care facilities and places of worship because of lack of freedom
of movement are among the causes of greatest hardship.
Why is the number of Christians in the
Holy Land
dwindling at such a high rate?
Factors for the dwindling Christian population are varied and
complex with the two major reasons being economic deterioration
and the difficult political conditions due to the occupation and
the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Other factors include
the low birth rate of Christians in comparison to Muslims and the
relatively high socioeconomic status of many Christians which
makes it easier for them to leave.
Are Christian institutions and NGOs able to operate safely in the
Holy Land?
Church institutions in the
Holy Land, such as the Lutheran World Federation’s
Augusta
Victoria Hospital and the Catholic Bethlehem University operate
freely and openly as Christian-based organizations that provide
services to all Palestinians, regardless of their religion.
Church-related development organizations such as World Vision and
Catholic Relief Services report that they employ both Christian
and Muslim Palestinians and that their Christian employees are
free to practice their faith.
What is the Palestinian Authority’s track record on religious
freedom and the rule of law and how are Christians treated?
Now and previously the Palestinian Authority has not adequately
enforced human rights standards and the rule of law, which has had
adverse effects on all Palestinians. There have been a few cases
of insufficient intervention of PA security forces on behalf of
Christians; however, contrary to some reports, the PA has not been
responsible for systematic persecution of Christians. The PA
generally maintains good relations with the Christian community.
In fact, the PA has set a Christian quota in the Palestinian
Legislative Council, securing seats for Christian representatives
from
Gaza, Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jerusalem districts. Christmas and
Easter are freely celebrated and Christians hold many prominent
positions in Palestinian society. Hanan Ashrawi was a long-time
member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and an official
Spokesperson of the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East
Peace Process in the 90s.
From 2005-2008. the head of the PLO mission to the US (which also
relates to the PA) was Afif Safieh, a Roman Catholic.
Christians have held other important positions,
such as advisor to the President, head of the Palestinian Monetary
Authority and mayors of Ramallah and
Bethlehem.
What is the state of Christian-Muslim relations in the Palestinian
territories?
As a minority group, Christians are particularly vulnerable to
societal friction and the instability of life in the
West Bank and Gaza. Real tensions do exist between Christian and
Muslim Palestinian communities, with some unofficial harassment
and discrimination taking place on the local level. Generally,
violent incidents are not widespread and relations are congenial.
Thuggery, mob violence and revenge attacks are problems in
Palestinian society that need to be dealt with more effectively.
When the victims are Christians, these problems are sometimes cast
as religious persecution. Moreover, disputes between
Christians and Muslims related to inter-marriage, conversion and
other family and community issues have occasionally resulted in
violence, but are more often related to social or inter-family
conflicts. At times, Christian leaders have mediated these disputes and helped to restore good relations.
The rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Palestinian society is a
concern of Christians as it is for the majority of Palestinians
whose preference is for a secular and pluralistic form of
governance. This concern may increase now with the election of Hamas. Furthermore, the failure to achieve a just resolution of
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict contributes to support for
fundamentalist Islam in the region.
What role do Palestinian Christians play in Palestinian society?
Palestinian Christians, by their political preference and presence
itself, constitute a necessary element for a secular,
non-theocratic form of Palestinian governance. The Church often
emphasizes the importance of nonviolence and reconciliation
between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and the three
Abrahamic faiths. The presence of Palestinian Christians and
Christian institutions is an essential part of the rich history
and common future of the land where Christianity began.
