Bethlehem, known as Beit Lechem in Israel, is commonly believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. This makes the city a very holy place for Christians, though the Christian population there is not living as comfortably as they have in the past.
While thousands of Christian tourists are traveling to the city for Christmas, the town’s Christian population is being threatened and extorted by Muslims in the West Bank. Further, the Palestinian Authority is turning a blind eye to the problems.
The mayor of Bethlehem, a Christian, points out that in 1948 Bethlehem was 92% Christian. Now the population is a minority 40%. Muslims are illegally taking Christian land, and no one is helping. The situation is so dire that a new exodus has hit the biblical city.
One Christian leader said that not all of the Muslims in the town are causing problems for the Christian population. It is just a small group. The impact of that small group has been devastating, however.
I hope the Christians in Bethlehem and the rest of Israel have a great holiday. It is too bad that in one area it is overshadowed by something so sad.
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