Christians Face Growing Persecution Under Palestinian Authority, Researcher Claims
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
A researcher claims Christians under the Palestinian Authority face escalating intimidation, religious restrictions, and economic pressure, leading to a significant decline in their population, particularly in Bethlehem. Elias Zarina stated that 154 Christian families have left the region recently due to insecurity and discrimination. He also alleged political interference in property disputes and criticized Palestinian school curricula for promoting hostility. Zarina called on Christian nations to condition aid on improved treatment of Christians and expressed concern over Qatar's growing influence in East Jerusalem's Christian institutions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Researcher Elias Zarina claims Christians under Palestinian Authority face growing intimidation and religious restrictions.
- The Christian population in Bethlehem has fallen from 80% to 7% since the Oslo Accords, Zarina stated.
- 154 Christian families have reportedly left the region in the last 2.5 years due to insecurity and discrimination.
- Zarina alleges political figures attempt to seize Christian businesses and properties through intimidation and legal influence.
- He criticized Palestinian school curricula for fostering hostility towards Jews and Israel.
- Zarina urged Christian nations to link financial aid to the Palestinian Authority to improved Christian treatment.
Christians living under the Palestinian Authority are experiencing increasing intimidation, religious restrictions, and economic pressure, according to Elias Zarina, a Christian researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policies. In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Zarina stated that the Christian population in Bethlehem has plummeted from 80% before the Oslo Accords to just 7% today. He claims that 154 Christian families have left the region in the past two and a half years, citing a climate of insecurity and discrimination as primary reasons.
Zarina, a former member of a student cell of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), described a marginalized Christian community. He alleged that Fatah and PFLP activists have sent masked individuals to intimidate Bethlehem merchants who displayed Christmas decorations, attempting to deter them from celebrating during the Gaza war. He also criticized restrictions on public religious events, including Christian scout parades.
The pressures extend to economic and property matters, Zarina asserted. He claims that individuals with political backing are attempting to seize businesses and properties from Christians, sometimes through intimidation or by leveraging influence within the Palestinian judicial system. He cited the case of a Christian distributor of Tnuva products who allegedly faced years of pressure to relinquish his franchise to individuals connected to the Palestinian Authority.
Compounding these issues is the economic crisis in Bethlehem, which heavily relies on religious tourism. Zarina also criticized Palestinian school curricula, accusing them of fostering hostility toward Jews and Israel. He lamented the silence of international Christian leaders, suggesting that fear of reprisal prevents many in his community from speaking out publicly, a fear he himself shares for his family's safety.
Zarina urged Christian-majority countries to link their financial aid to the Palestinian Authority to improvements in the treatment of Christians. He also raised concerns about Qatar's growing influence within Christian institutions in East Jerusalem, suggesting Doha uses its funding, particularly in the healthcare sector, to increase its foothold with local religious establishments. He specifically mentioned a Catholic hospital receiving Qatari funds for years and expressed worry that this financial dependence could grant Doha increasing sway over the city's Christian institutions.