Safety and access to religious sites?

Question

If a Christian wanted to visit some of the holy sites in Isreal, is it safe? in other words, are you AS safe as the general population or does an American Christian become a target.

What are some points of interest for a Christian that are palestinian controlled?

Does anyone know about Tyre (to see the ruins)..or Jeruselem?

Thanks!

Answer 1

christians come to israel all the time and visit all the "holy sites" on the pilgrims map, jaffa, mt, carmel, nazareth, sea of galilee, jerusalem and others.
the places controlled by the palestinians are primarily jericho and bethlehem. american (and other) christians go there all the time and i've not heard of anyone encountering any problem beyond people trying to sell them post cards or a camel ride.
as to tyre... that's in lebanon so you've got to do it on a separate itinerary, or after visiting israel, go to jordan and from there through syria to lebanon (or directly to lebanon) or fly via cyprus.

Answer 2

Isreal provides free and safe access to the holy sites for Christians and Muslims.

There is a problem on the Temple Mount, where the Israeli officials have bowed to fanatical Muslim demands and do not permit Jews to pray there. This is so even though the Temple Mount is the holiest place in the world to the Jewish People, the site of the Holy Temples destroyed by the Babylonians (first Temple) and the Romans (second Temple).

But this will not affect you as a Christian.

Tyre, by the way, is presently part of Lebanon.


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Answer 3

In Israel there is no problem at all. In the west bank it as safe for a christian as it is for any one else.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

Answer 4

Mr. X - Where do you get your ideas from? Certainly not personal experience. You are just trying to spread hatred and/or fear of Palestinians.

I am a Canadian Christian and have visited the holy sites in Palestine many times. Absolutely not a problem whatsoever!

Unfortunately Palestinian Christians cannot usually visit holy sites in Israel or Jerusalem (such as the Holy Sepulchre) because of the IDF not allowing them in.

EDIT to Avri - No, Israel does NOT allow free and safe access to the holy sites for Christians and Muslims. I have been with Palestinian Christians who were trying to get to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and they were turned away at the checkpoint because they are not allowed in Israel and have to stay in their "prison", the West Bank. This, by the way, was on the same day that the Israeli newspapers said they were allowing Palestinians in because it was Easter. Do not believe everything you read in the newspaper!

Answer 5

it's perfectly safe to see the sites in israel proper. but in the palestinian controlled areas, you're taking a risk. many christians have been persecuted there. when israel protects those sites, it's safe for everyone, but the more people want palestinian control, the more dangerous it's going to be.