What do Palestinian Christians report about their situation? From visits to the Holy Land and in dialogue with church leaders and congregants, US churches have heard that the most pressing issues affecting the daily life of Palestinian Christians, as well as Muslims, are related to the occupation and the conflict. The route of Israel’s separation barrier, the presence and expansion of Israeli settlements and the difficulty in reaching jobs, schools, health care facilities and places of worship because of lack of freedom of movement are among the causes of greatest hardship. In Jerusalem, key issues include Israeli laws and regulations on residency and family unification as well as limits on housing permits, all of which make the formation of marriages and families very difficult.

Why is the number of Christians in the Holy Land dwindling at such a high rate? Factors for the dwindling Christian population are varied and complex with the two major reasons being economic deterioration and the difficult political conditions due to the occupation and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Other factors include the low birth rate of Christians in comparison to Muslims and the relatively high socioeconomic status of many Christians which makes it easier for them to leave.

What issues do Christian institutions and NGOs face in the Holy Land? In areas controlled by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, church institutions operate freely and openly as Christian-based organizations, including the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem and the Catholic Bethlehem University. Church-related development organizations such as World Vision and Catholic Relief Services report that they employ both Christian and Muslim Palestinians and that their Christian employees are free to practice their faith. Church institutions are facing increasingly difficulty in carrying out their pastoral and humanitarian mission given the restrictions on visas and permits for clergy and religious personnel – to travel in and out of the Holy Land and between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Currently, only senior level clergy are granted multi-entry visas by Israel, leaving several hundred clergy only able to obtain single-entry visas with long delays and uncertainty. Travel and movement issues along with problems related to church property and taxation are part of the ongoing erosion of the status quo regime enjoyed by the churches since the Ottoman Empire. The Fundamental Agreement between the Vatican and Israel, which was first entered into in 1993 but is still to be ratified by the Israeli Knesset, remains a key medium through which to resolve these issues and enable Catholic and other Christian institutions to focus on the communities they serve.

What is the Palestinian Authority’s track record on religious freedom and the rule of law and how are Christians treated? Now and previously the Palestinian Authority has not adequately enforced human rights standards and the rule of law, which has had adverse effects on all Palestinians. There have been a few cases of insufficient intervention by the PA on behalf of Christians; however, contrary to some reports, the PA has not been responsible for systematic persecution of Christians. The PA generally maintains good relations with the Christian community. In fact, the PA has set a Christian quota in the Palestinian Legislative Council, securing seats for Christian representatives from Gaza, Ramallah, Bethlehem and Jerusalem districts. Christmas and Easter are freely celebrated and Christians hold many prominent positions in Palestinian society and government, such as advisor to the President, head of the Palestinian Monetary Authority and mayors of Ramallah and Bethlehem.

What is the state of Christian-Muslim relations in the Palestinian territories? As a minority group, Christians are particularly vulnerable to societal friction and the instability of life in the West Bank and Gaza. Real tensions do exist between Christian and Muslim Palestinian communities, with some unofficial harassment and discrimination taking place on the local level. Generally, violent incidents are not widespread and relations are congenial. Thuggery, mob violence and revenge attacks are problems in Palestinian society that need to be dealt with more effectively. When the victims are Christians, these problems are sometimes cast as religious persecution. Moreover, disputes between Christians and Muslims related to inter-marriage, conversion and other family and community issues have occasionally resulted in violence, but are more often related to social or inter-family conflicts. At times, Christian leaders have mediated these disputes and helped to restore good relations. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Palestinian society is a concern of Christians as it is for the majority of Palestinians whose preference is for a secular and pluralistic form of governance. Furthermore, the failure to achieve a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict contributes to support for fundamentalist Islam in the region.

What role do Palestinian Christians play in Palestinian society? Palestinian Christians, by their political preference and presence itself, constitute a necessary element for a secular, non-theocratic form of Palestinian governance. The Church often emphasizes the importance of nonviolence and reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and the three Abrahamic faiths. The presence of Palestinian Christians and Christian institutions is an essential part of the rich history and common future of the land where Christianity began.

Why is the decline of Palestinian Christians detrimental to U.S. national security interests? If a living Christian community does not continue to thrive in Jerusalem, the holy city with its universal and sacred importance will cease to be an interreligious city. Moreover, through participation in their societies, Christian communities in the Middle East play a vital role in developing tolerant, democratic forms of government that respect human rights, including the rights of minority communities. A Middle East without its historic Christian communities would be less pluralistic and less stable.

This factsheet was originally created in June, 2006 and was updated in May, 2009.