Christmas in Palestine: Celebrating Faith Amid Persecution

Christmas in Palestine is a deeply spiritual and historic celebration. As the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Palestine holds profound significance for Christians worldwide. However, for Palestinian Christians, celebrating Christmas is far from peaceful. While their faith and resilience remain unwavering, they face daily challenges of movement restrictions, discrimination, and an uncertain future under Israeli occupation.

The Historical and Cultural Significance of Christmas in Palestine

Palestine is home to some of Christianity’s holiest sites, including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where millions believe Jesus was born. Every year, pilgrims from around the world travel to Bethlehem to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree, attend midnight Mass, and walk along Manger Square. The city comes alive with lights, hymns, and prayers, embodying the hope and unity that Christmas represents.

For Palestinian Christians, however, the celebration of Christmas is also a reminder of the challenges they endure as a religious minority living under occupation. Once forming over 10% of the population, Christians in Palestine now constitute less than 2%, with many forced to emigrate due to economic hardship, systemic discrimination, and the suffocating effects of the Israeli occupation.

Restricted Movement and Religious Persecution

One of the most significant challenges Palestinian Christians face is the restriction on their movement. Bethlehem, located in the occupied West Bank, is surrounded by Israel’s separation wall and military checkpoints. Even during Christmas, when Bethlehem draws global attention, many Palestinian Christians from Gaza and other parts of the West Bank are denied permits to enter the city for worship and celebration.

For Christians in Gaza, celebrating Christmas often means separation from family members and the inability to visit sacred sites. The blockade imposed by Israel has turned Gaza into an open-air prison, cutting off its Christian population from their spiritual and cultural heritage in the West Bank. According to church leaders, only a fraction of Christians from Gaza are granted permits to travel to Bethlehem or Jerusalem during Christmas, leaving many to celebrate the holiday in isolation. With the current attacks on Gaza, we do not expect any Palestinian Christians from Gaza being granted permits to visit their holy sites in the West Bank.

The pressures of occupation, economic hardship, and lack of freedom have led to a steady decline in the Palestinian Christian population. Many have emigrated in search of safety, opportunity, and dignity. Those who remain face challenges such as land confiscation, settlement expansion, and restricted access to employment and education. In Jerusalem, Christian religious institutions have reported increasing pressure from Israeli authorities and settlers. Churches have faced attacks, and Christian clergy have reported harassment, adding to the sense of insecurity and marginalisation for Palestinian Christians.

A Call for Justice and Freedom

As the world celebrates Christmas, it is vital to remember the Palestinian Christians who face these injustices daily. Their faith and culture are integral to the identity of Palestine, and their struggles mirror those of their Muslim neighbours who also face the oppression of occupation.

This Christmas, we must amplify their voices and call for an end to the restrictions and policies that deny them their fundamental rights. Here are ways you can support Palestinian Christians:

1. Raise Awareness: Share their stories with your community, highlighting their challenges and rich cultural heritage.
2. Advocate for Freedom of Movement: Write to your local MP and urge them to pressure Israel to respect the right of Palestinian Christians to access their holy sites freely, especially during religious holidays.
3. Support Palestinian Businesses: Many Christian artisans in Bethlehem and Jerusalem rely on selling handcrafted items, such as olive wood nativity sets. Supporting these businesses helps sustain their communities.

Palestinian Christians remain deeply rooted in their faith and traditions despite the immense challenges. The spirit of Christmas continues to shine in Bethlehem and beyond, a testament to their resilience and hope for a just and peaceful future.

During this holiday season, stand in solidarity with Palestinian Christians’ call for freedom, dignity, and justice.