Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Free eNewsletter
    • eNewsletter SignUp
    • View past eNewsletters
  • Toggle search form
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin Civil Rights
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race American Arabs
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections American Arabs
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon American Arabs
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land American Arabs
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Appeal of Mediterranean foods continue to rise among consumers Culture
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Activism
  • Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations
    Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach Activism
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022 Activism
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast Arab News
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
  • Voting sticker issued to voters in Cook County elections in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions — no Arabs included American Arabs
Christian religious presence imposes itself in Jerusalem despite pressures from all sides. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Christian Arab presence in Bethlehem in Crisis

Posted on September 9, 2014November 30, 2020 By rayhanania No Comments on Christian Arab presence in Bethlehem in Crisis
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Christian Arab presence in Bethlehem in Crisis

By Ray Hanania

Christian religious presence imposes itself in Jerusalem despite pressures from all sides.
Christian religious presence imposes itself in Jerusalem despite pressures from all sides. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

The issue of Christians in the Holy Land continues to be a topic that is twisted and distorted for political purposes with Muslims and Jews both arguing they do more for the increasingly deteriorating presence in traditionally Christian areas like Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour in the Israeli occupied West Bank.

Today, according to Christian activists who are struggling to survive in Bethlehem, the Christian population there has been eclisped by a growth of both Muslim refugees who are relocating to avoid the persecution by Israel in Hebron and by the increasing number of Israeli Jews who are taking Christian lands to build exclusively jewish-only settlements.

Ziyad Taste of the Middle East

Many of the settlements encircling East Jerusalem are built on lands previously owned by Christians and confiscated by Israel’s rightwing government led by extremist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yet ironically, Israel’s government has continued to issue propaganda claiming that Israel is a “safe haven” for Christians and asserting that the real threat is from the larger Muslim community.

It is true that Muslims constitute more than 1.6 billion in the world, and that the Jewish World population is about 13.4 million, or under 1 percent in comparison to the Muslim population. But, the Christian population of the world is the largest at 6.9 billion people, yet Christians outside of the Holy Land have turned a deaf ear to the challenges being faced by Christians.

Additionally, Muslim Arabs are hostile to Christian Arabs who try to give the Christian Arabs a louder and more active voice arguing that “Christians and Muslims are one and the same and we should not try to be different.”

Yet these same Muslim activists have no problem launching Muslim activist organizations such as CAIR, ISNA and others that champion the rights and causes of the Muslim community.

“Why can’t and shouldn’t Christians also speak up and speak out loudly about their situation? Why are we being discriminated against by all sides? By Muslims? By Jews? And even by non-Arab Christians in the West?” one Christian activist recently wrote in an email to The Arab Daily News. “It’s a problem and no one wants to address it.”

As both Israeli and Muslim activist groups grow, the Christian voice has remained stagnant and almost insignificant. Christian speakers are invited to speak at Muslim and Jewish organization events more as a political statement. Jews invite Christians to their conferences in order to use the Christians as a criticism against Islam while Muslims also invite Christians to their conferences in order to use the Christians as a criticism against Israel and Zionism.

Christian Arab Family, Jerusalem, 1926. Courtesy Ray Hanania
Christian Arab Family, Jerusalem, 1926. Courtesy Ray Hanania

Both Muslims and Jewish activists, however, prevent the speakers from speaking out against the overall discrimination that is taking place. Jewish and Israeli groups try to mute criticism by Christians of Israel while Muslim groups try to mute the voices of Christian Arabs who seek to question the rise of extremist Muslims like al-Qaeda and ISIS/ISIL that have targeted Christians for persecution.

“The irony is we are being used by everyone,” another Christian activist, who asked not to be identified fearing a backlash from Muslims, said. “The Israelis expect Christian Arabs to be critical of Israeli policy but they are addressing our community. In contrast, the Muslim community gets angry when we raise issues and initiate hostile campaigns targeting well-known Christians who openly speak out about the increasingly hostile challenges Christian Arabs face in the Arab and Muslim Worlds. They are legitimate issues but no one wants to talk about them.”

Increasingly, Christians in the Holy Land have begun an outreach campaign to promote their presence and to generate financial and political support for their efforts. Israeli and pro-Israel news sites and organizations have launched a formal campaign to challenge criticism of Israel and reports that Israel is discriminating against Christians. But the campaign is no different than the everyday denials and attacks from extremist Muslim groups and activists who target any Christian who dares to raise issues of the abuse of Christian Arabs by Muslims. Both sides are focused on their selfish interests and none care about Christians is a message that is finally becoming clear to Christian Arabs in the Middle East and Holy Land.

George Sleibi, a Christian from Bethlehem, has launched a campaign to encourage support for the Christian community in the Holy Land “in the Holy Land in response to the growing regional Israeli-Palestinian conflict and decline of the Christian minority.”

Sleibi wrote recently, “The Christian presence in the Holy Land is declining daily. Currently, the Holy Land’s Christians comprise only two percent of the population. The continued emigration of Christians as a result of ongoing instability is having a negative impact on their presence in the land where Jesus was born, crucified and resurrected. Should this trend continue, an important spiritual destination, shared by billions throughout the world, will become nothing more than a museum, as the indigenous Christian community who represent the Christian presence in the Holy Land cease to exist.”

Christians in the Holy Land, Sleibi said, are increasingly falling victim to the occupation because they lack support.

“The conflict and occupation have seriously impacted the lives of the native Christians, making it very difficult for them to sustain a living there. Many are separated from their olive trees, jobs, schools and places of worship by the road blocks and security barrier,” Sleibi said.

“Water is rationed and often not available when needed. Permits to enter Jerusalem are very difficult to secure. For these reasons it is very challenging for Christians in the West Bank and Gaza, and many must leave the land they have owned for generations in order to maintain a livelihood to support their families. The Christian population has declined from 30% to less than 2% in less than fifty years. If the place of Jesus birth was an essentially Christian city since 1948, beginning from today Bethlehem is undergoing a significant change because of the immigration of many Muslims from the city of Hebron towards Bethlehem. Today only 12,000 Christians live in Bethlehem compared to the 35,000 Muslims.”

Many Christians have turned to producing and selling religious artifacts made of Olive Trees in the hopes of generating funds to strengthen the Christian Arab community which has no financial benefactors in the world.

“Olive trees in Bethlehem are believed to be holy, sometimes referred to as the “Tree of Life”. It’s from the pruning of these trees that the hand-crafted items are made by local artisans,” Sleibi said.

“In the past, tourism in Bethlehem had been a large part of the economy. Because of Bethlehem’s recent political and religious turmoil, it has significantly declined. With tourism being such an integral part of the local economy, many are now finding it hard to provide for themselves and their families.”

Sleibi said, “Purchasing Holy Land goods will support Christian artisans and their families, enabling them to remain in their homeland and make a living. Most products are made in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Beit Jala — the largest Christian communities in Holy Land.”

Sleibi said that his group is pushing for a public campaign this Winter around the traditional Christian holidays of Christmas to raise awareness and speak to Christian church groups to educate Christian communities about the real plight of Christians outside of the context of regional Middle East politics.

Sleibi is affiliated with the website OBethlehem.com which offers information about the challenges facing Christians in the Holy Land. You can visit the website at www.OBethlehem.com.

You can also reach out to George Sleibi directly by email at george@obethlehem.com.

Related articles
  • Israeli settlers destroy Palestinian grape vines as Israel Steals More Land
  • Israeli Troops Invade Beit Sahour Town
  • A Letter from A Palestinian Christian To EWTN
  • Bethlehem Christians feel the squeeze as Israeli settlements spread
  • Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to Meet With Pope at Vatican

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues - March 18, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC - March 13, 2023
  • Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan - February 22, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Palestine & Jordan, Ray Hanania, religion Tags:Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Christian, Christian Arab, Christian Arabs, Christians, Holy Land, Islam, Israel, Jews, Judaism, Muslims, persecution, West Bank, Zionism

Post navigation

Previous Post: Pro-Palestinian group publishes ads challenging Israeli Apartheid practices
Next Post: Campaign to nominate Emir of Kuwait for Nobel Peace Prize

Related Posts

  • Tyrant: hate TV series coming this summer reveals more about Hollywood than Arabs and Muslims Ali Younes
  • Heroes, cowards and real terrorists in the Middle East Arab World
  • Strawberry harvest continues in Gaza Strip, Palestine Arab World
  • Sykes-Picot Agreement, Myth vs Reality Abdennour Toumi
  • USS Liberty Veterans Trail of Tears and NEW Book American Arabs
  • Why Smith defeated Tlaib in Michigan legislative Democratic primary American Arabs

More Related Articles

Al Maktoum Foundation to refocus on Middle East Arab World
The 3rd Annual Red Carpet Festival in the Gaza Strip remembers major moments in Palestinian history, launched in 2015 marking the Israeli destruction of civilian homes in al-Shajaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City. Photo copyright Mohammed Asad. All Rights Reserved. Gaza hosts 3rd annual Red Carpet Festival Arab World
The Daily Show and Israeli Apartheid #FreeVanunu #TDS @Trevornoah @TheDailyShow Arab World
Peoples march in Algiers Streets to protest Pdt Bouteflika fifth-term. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi A Cri-de-coeur for Dignity and Stability  Abdennour Toumi
Palestinian civilians determined to rebuild lives in face of Israeli Gaza war crimes Arab World
The first Cubs curse was by an Arab American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • راى حنانيا. Ray Hanania
    Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
    March 18, 2023
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    Two parallel uprisings in Israel
    March 11, 2023
  • Racist anti-Arab Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot poses with Edwards Realty President Ramzi Hassan posted on Facebook on posted June 3, 2022 right after the second press conference demanding that Lightfoot end her discrimination.
    Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan
    February 22, 2023
  • Tiktok.com/@RayHanania
    Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States
    January 19, 2023
  • 300x300-ZIYAD02.jpg
  • 300x300-RAMADAN02.jpg
  • 300x300-ZIYAD01.jpg
  • 300x300-RAMADAN01.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin
    March 19, 2023
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race
    March 17, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon
    February 22, 2023
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections
    February 21, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Appeal of Mediterranean foods continue to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118
    February 9, 2023
  • Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations
    Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach
    February 8, 2023
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

First Installment of the Property Tax

POPULAR POSTS

  • Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan By Ray Hanania Illinois Review, one of the conservative movement's most respected ... posted on February 22, 2023
  • Two parallel uprisings in Israel Two parallel uprisings in Israel By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Israel is currently shaken by two parallel revolts. In what seems ... posted on March 11, 2023
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Currently living in Orland Park with her supportive husband and ... posted on February 9, 2023
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues Call me Arab, don't call me MENA writer argues Columnist Ray Hanania argues that the term MENA to describe Arab ... posted on March 18, 2023
  • Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race The Arab American Democratic Club released its official endorsements ... posted on March 17, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC In an effort to keep dialogue with government agencies, AHRC held a Meet ... posted on March 13, 2023

Recent Posts

  • International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
  • Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC
  • Two parallel uprisings in Israel
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme