Christian presence in Palestine declines under Israeli governance

Palestinian Christian leaders warn of the potential erasure of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world as Israeli settlers threaten Beit Jala, a town with a continuous Christian presence since the 3rd century. The approximately 11,000 residents face harassment and violence, leading to increased emigration due to land seizures and movement restrictions. A recent violent attack by settlers in Birzeit resulted in serious injury to a local Christian woman, raising calls for international protection. The ongoing targeting of Palestinian Christians is seen as part of a broader pattern of ethnic cleansing in the region.

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