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Why Are There No Christians in Bethlehem?


(Israel Hayom) Eness Elias - Systematic oppression of Christians has been carried out for decades by the Palestinian authorities in Judea and Samaria and in Gaza. "Terrorist attacks against Christians, assaults on churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties in the Palestinian Authority...have become daily occurrences, and their severity clearly intensifies during Christian holidays," the Greek Orthodox Church recently declared. Reports from Gaza describe attacks on Christians and Christian holy sites carried out by Hamas police. The Palestinian authorities persecute the Christian population through systematic land confiscations via the Palestinian courts, extortion and seizure of Christian-owned businesses, and systematic discrimination against Christians in employment. Christians are excluded from leadership positions in the Palestinian Authority and face difficulties buying and selling land and property. In 1950 Christians made up 86% of Bethlehem's population. A 2017 census revealed that only 10% of Bethlehem's residents were Christians. Hamas members occupy most of the seats on the city council.
2025-03-04 00:00:00
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