The Decline of Palestinian Christians: Living under Occupation

TLDRBethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is now surrounded by walls, military checkpoints, and illegal settlements due to the Israeli occupation. The percentage of Christians in Bethlehem and the occupied territories has plummeted, rendering them practically invisible. Palestinians, including Christians, face restrictions, limited economic opportunities, and a difficult quality of life. Christians in Palestine face violence and attacks from the Israeli state and settlers. The Nassar family fights to protect their land from Israeli settlements. International volunteers have more freedom of movement than the Nassar family. American Evangelical Christians, despite their political influence, remain largely silent on Israel's actions. How can Christians support a state that persecutes members of their own faith?

Key insights

📉The percentage of Christians living in Bethlehem and the occupied Palestinian territories has significantly declined over the years.

✝️Palestinian Christians face restrictions, limited economic opportunities, and a difficult quality of life under Israeli occupation.

🤝Palestinian Christians and Muslims come together in solidarity against the occupation, debunking the narrative of religious divide.

🛡️The Nassar family fights to protect their land from Israeli settlements, facing attacks and legal battles.

🔇American Evangelical Christians, despite their political influence, remain largely silent on Israel's actions and the persecution of Palestinian Christians.

Q&A

Why has the percentage of Christians in Bethlehem and the occupied territories declined?

—The decline can be attributed to the Israeli occupation, which has imposed restrictions, limited economic opportunities, and made life difficult for Palestinians, including Christians.

How do Palestinian Christians and Muslims come together in solidarity?

—Both Palestinian Christians and Muslims unite against the occupation and work together in various aspects of life and resistance against oppression.

What struggles does the Nassar family face in protecting their land?

—The Nassar family faces attacks from the Israeli state and settlers, as well as legal battles in Israeli courts, as they resist attempts to take their land for Israeli settlements.

Why are American Evangelical Christians largely silent on Israel's actions?

—Despite their political influence, many American Evangelical Christians do not speak out against Israel's actions, possibly due to theological interpretations or political alliances.

How can Christians support a state that persecutes members of their own faith?

—This question raises important ethical and moral considerations. It calls for reflection on the inconsistency between faith teachings and support for oppressive actions.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is now surrounded by walls, military checkpoints, and illegal settlements due to the Israeli occupation.

03:35The percentage of Christians in Bethlehem and the occupied territories has significantly declined over the years.

07:19Palestinian Christians face restrictions, limited economic opportunities, and a difficult quality of life under Israeli occupation.

09:28The Nassar family fights to protect their land from Israeli settlements, facing attacks and legal battles.

11:38American Evangelical Christians, despite their political influence, remain largely silent on Israel's actions and the persecution of Palestinian Christians.

Browse more