Bethlehem, Where Christians Suffer, Today
Ron Ross
BFP News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com
16th December 2006
Many Christians around the world are preparing to rejoice and carol the Babe of Bethlehem. Unfortunately the Arab Christians in the birthplace of Jesus are cringing for fear.
Persecution of the Arab Christians in Bethlehem and the surrounds, is on the increase and international human rights lawyer Justus Weiner cannot understand why their Christian family is so quiet over it all. .
Justus Weiner told me this week three Arab Christians, without knowing each other or each of their circumstances, had reported to him about the increased threats and harassment.
Each one had received repeated phone calls throughout the night. "We know who you are! We know where you live! And Sharia law instructs us to kill the infidel!" the callers say. .
Sharia or Islamic law has been adopted as the official constitution in the Palestinian territories by Hamas, the prevailing government party.
Many Christians Arabs have fled the territories. Those who remain are sitting on their suitcases," Weiner told me.
In 2005 he published 'Human Rights of Christians in Palestinian Society". He exposed horrendous stories of persecution, brutality and even murder.
In his new updated report he says, "The Christian population of the area under the control of the Palestinian Authority has sharply declined, as tens of thousands have abandoned their holy sites and ancestral properties to live abroad."
He reminded me of the burning of the YMCA building and the kidnapping of Christian journalists, which took place this years. .
He said that Christian properties have been concreted over since the owners fled, and new structures are going up with new owners and occupants.
He compared the dwindling Christian community in the PA to the prosperity and growth of Christians living in Israel.
He estimates the current Christian population of Israel as 130,000 an increase of 270 per cent since the founding of the state. In the Palestinian region Christians represent less than 1.7 per cent of the population.
He said, 'The growing strength of Islamic fundamentalism within the Palestinian national movement poses problems for Christians, who fear they will be deemed opponents of Islam and thereby risk becoming targets for Muslim extremists."
Weiner is a Jew. He is amazed how silent the Church is over the persecution of their brothers and sisters. He is obviously wondering what kind of family the Christian body really is. Jews would take action, he says.
His update is entitled 'Christians Flee Growing Islamic Fundamentalism in the Holy Land." In it he names three Christian leaders who he says, `pimped for Arafat" and now they are doing the same for `Haniyeh' - the PA Prime Minister and leader of Hamas.
At Bridges for Peace we spoke with a pastor from within the region this week. He has survived six assassination attempts and has been wounded three times.
As he exposed the situation in the region, he asked that his name be withheld because of the threats.
Of course Christians around the world should celebrate Christmas and all that it means to the joy of our salvation, But, spare a thought for the brothers and sisters in Bethlehem and what waits the rest of us, if Islamic Sharia Law ever comes to your place.
And those who seek to evangelise the Jewish people, should also spare a thought to what they see as our witness when it comes to the love of Christ being shared within the Body.
If the Christians in Bethlehem and other locations where persecution is a way of life is treated with deafening silence, how do we deal with a verse that says, 'They will know we are Christians by our love."
How do Christian world leaders visit places like Ramallah in the Palestinian territory and not make an issue of the brutality against Christians there?
Why are so many denominational leaders misreporting the situation and leaving the disclosure to a Jewish lawyer? Jesus died that we might live.
His first disciples died in the war against the enemy. Have we missed that passion, somehow?
Pray that the coming of Jesus really means what He intended, that we belong to a new Kingdom and have not grown too comfortable with the ways of the fallen world.
He empowered each one of us "to stand." There are quite a few hoping and praying that means we will stand with them, even in Bethlehem.
There is also a Jewish human rights lawyer wondering why we do not all practice what we preach. "Where is their family?" he wonders.
I think it's a great question.
Check out his article 'Christians Flee Growing Islamic Fundamentalism in the Holy Land" at www.jcpa.org
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Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com |
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