Violence forces fresh exodus of Christians from the Holy Land

BY ED WEST
THE FRAGILE existence of the world's oldest Christian community is under threat from religious extremism, poverty and emigration, according to a leading Catholic charity.
After a visit to Israel and Palestine, the leaders of Aid to the Church in Need said that the Church's role as a bridge between Jews and Muslims was being undermined by violence on both sides. Furthermore, the West's silence over their plight is making their situation worse, as the faithful continue to flee the land of Christ's birth.
Speaking at the end of the week-long trip, ACN international president Hans-Peter Rothlin said: "Jesus will ask: 'What did you do to make the suffering of my people known to the world. Why have they been abandoned?" We call upon Christians all over the world to pray — to pray that the hearts of the people will be changed."
The visitors witnessed how extremism from Jewish and Muslim groups, widespread discrimination and sporadic violence are driving Christians from Jesus's birthplace. The visit took place to mark the 60th anniversary of the group, which was originally founded to help the faithful behind the Iron Curtain.
ACN international ecclesiastical assistant Fr Joaquin Alliende led a prayer for peace at the grotto of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The following day Coadjutor Archbishop Fouad Twal of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated an ACN anniversary Mass.
The church, in Manger Square, has been a fiashpoint between Israelis and Palestinians since the March 2002 siege. Israeli tanks surrounded the town and up to 200 AlAqsa Martyrs Brigade militants took refuge in the holy site, along with various civilians and local political figures. The church suffered fire damage and some theft of valuables as a result.
Bethlehem was 75 per cent Christian in 1948, at the start of the 60-year Arab-Israeli conflict, a figure that is now somewhere between 10 to 25 percent. Israel's security wall runs along the north of the town, and as well as Israeli security restrictions, Bethlehem Christians have suffered from discrimination at the hands of the Muslim-dominated ruling Fatah party. Furthermore the violence has had a devastating effect on the town's vital tourist trade, which has traditionally been run by Christians.
However, with Palestinian President Mahrnoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreeing to renewed peace talks, this Christmas will be the busiest in Bethlehem for a decade. with up to 65,000 visitors, four times the 2005 figure.
Earlier this month Middle Fast envoy Tony Blair stayed a night in the town to show it was safe. An aide of the Palestinian president switched on the Christmas lights watched by dozens of onlookers and a bagpipe band playing carols.
But the long-term prospects for the Christian community are not good, with several hundred leaving every year to start a new life in the West.
Mr Rothlin and Fr Alliende said in a statement: "We learned again and again that this presence of Christians is now in jeopardy. It is a cause of much sorrow. with many forms of discrimination and ever-worsening emigration.
Mr Rothlin added: "The Christians cling on to the hope of building a peaceful nation, in which each is reconciled to the other and that there will eventually be an end to the suffering and pain. The Christians in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Galilee are the descendants of the first followers of Christ. The ancient stones shouldn't just be seen as places to visit, like a museum, but they should be linked to the living stones, the faithful of Christ. The Christians have a unique role to build bridges with other communities —Muslim and Jewish in particular — because the Gospel teaches against revenge."