West Bank hardships fuel exodus of Palestinian Christians

Christian leaders and officials in the West Bank are sounding the alarm over a growing exodus of their community members, driven by escalating economic hardship, security concerns, and movement restrictions. Reverend Mitri Raheb, founder of Dar Al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, expressed grave concern, warning that the Christian population in the Holy Land could vanish by 2050 if the current trajectory continues.

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If the current conditions continue, there will not be a single Palestinian Christian left by 2050.

Christians now represent just over 1% of the West Bank's population, a stark decline from approximately 6% in 1967. Church leaders report that emigration has intensified since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. This period has seen worsening economic conditions, increased Israeli military operations, more checkpoints, and a rise in settler attacks, according to residents and church officials.

Issa Qassis, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Ramallah, shared his frustration, stating that for every step forward in his work, he takes three steps back, leading him to consider immigrating to the United States. Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin highlighted that Christians often have better access to emigration opportunities due to existing relatives abroad. She described the population decline as a "very serious alarm bell" and called for international action to support Christians remaining in the region.

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Every time I move one step forward in my work, I end up taking three steps back.

The situation is even more dire in Gaza, where an estimated 600 Christians remain. In Taybeh, the West Bank's last fully Christian town, over 15 families have emigrated since 2023, reducing its population significantly. Father Bashar Fawadleh noted that repeated settler attacks, security worries, and economic difficulties are compelling residents to re-evaluate their future.

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very serious alarm bell