What is Christian activity in Bethlehem?

Question

With Xmas approaching, once again there are the reports of the declining Christian community particularly in Bethlehem.

The Christian population of the areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has sharply declined in recent decades, as tens of thousands have abandoned their holy sites and ancestral properties to live abroad. Those who remain comprise a beleaguered and dwindling minority. In sharp contrast, Israel’s Christian community has prospered and grown by at least 270 percent since the founding of the state.

While Israel understands that the construction of the security barrier inconveniences some of the Christian communities living in its vicinity, Israel has shown sensitivity to Christian interests in planning the route of the barrier.

The plight of Christian Arabs remaining in the PA is, in part, attributable to the adoption of Muslim religious law in the PA Constitution. Israel, by contrast, safeguards the religious freedom and holy places of its Christian (and Muslim) citizens. Indeed, in recent years Israel has been responsible for restoring many of the churches and monasteries under its jurisdiction.

The growing strength of Islamic fundamentalism within the Palestinian national movement poses problems for Christians, who fear they will be deemed opponents of Islam and thereby risk becoming targets for Muslim extremists. This is exacerbated by the fact that Hamas holds substantial power and seeks to impose its radical Islamist identity on the entire population within the PA-controlled territories.

Answer 1

Sadly, the Islamist terrorists hate the Christian Arabs as much as they hate the Jews.

The only solution is an overwhelming defeat of the Muslim-held Gaza Strip to rid it of terror.

Answer 2

There is no Christmas activities in Bethlehem

people don't have money or spirit to do so
Arab christians are the same of the Arab muslims, they are under the same situation.
when Israeli army shoot Bethlehem citizens do u think they will ask first what is ur religion, they don't care about christians they are arabs and arabs are dogs for the Israeli.