[AP/International Herald Tribune] Gaza's tiny Christian community is keeping a low profile during Christmas this year, traumatized by the killing of Rami Ayyad, 32, a prominent Christian activist, after the Hamas takeover. At the Baptist Church on Sunday, just 10 people attended the regular weekly prayer service, down from an average of 70. There was no Christmas tree in sight. The church's full-time pastor, along with his family, have relocated to the West Bank. "Whole families are leaving, selling their cars, homes and all their properties," said Rev. Manuel Musallem, head of Gaza's Roman Catholic church. Israeli security officials said they were permitting 400 Gaza Christians to travel through Israel to Bethlehem for Christmas.
2007-12-24 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive