The Christian Community

There has been a Christian community in the Holy Land since the very beginning of Christianity. Although a minority in the Palestinian population, this small community contribute hugely to society, and are responsible for over 40% of social services in the West Bank and East Jerusalem today.

This community, however, is reducing in size due to emigration from approximately 8% of the total population in 1946 to less than 2% today.

When questioned about their reasons for leaving, Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem overwhelmingly blame the pressure and injustice of Israeli occupation for their decision to seek a new life abroad.

Inside the state of Israel, Arab Christians enjoy better conditions than their Palestinian Christian counterparts in the occupied territories, but still live as second-class citizens compared to Jewish Israelis, despite the fact that they have Israeli citizenship. The Nation State Law, bought in by Israel in 2018 solidified this discrimination in many ways. Typically Arab Christian towns and municipalities receive less funding, poor resourcing, and are subject to harsher treatment by Israel’s security forces. They are also foten suspiciously regarded by their Jewish neighbours. This has heightened considerably since the October 7th attacks on Israel and the subsequent genocide in Gaza began.

Thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world travel to Jerusalem for Pilgrimages such as during Easter and Christmas. Yet Christian Palestinians who live no more than a few hours away from the holy city, are barred from moving between the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. The Israeli army severely restricts and controls the number of Palestinians who receive permits to visit Holy sites, and this becomes more restricted each year.