Targeting Christians in Palestine

Zionism and its colonial project in Palestine target its entire Arab population in varying degrees. The situation in the 1948 areas differs from that in 1967, and the Gaza Strip surpasses the West Bank in terms of killing and extermination. In the West Bank, it is more violent than in Jerusalem. In the 1948 areas, the actions are not limited to the strongly targeted Bedouins of the Negev, but also include the people of the North and Center, the people of Carmel, Galilee, and the Triangle, who are targeted by criminal gangs. The people of the historical mixed Palestinian coastal cities are targeted by restrictions, lack of expansion, and imposition of taxes, whether they are Muslims, Christians, or Druze, even if the formulas, tools, and priorities differ. In the Palestinian West Bank, oppression, suppression, and destruction of the lives of all Palestinians are carried out with the aim of "driving them out" and pushing them to leave their homeland according to Smotrich's "Decisive Plan," which has become the title, tool, and program of the government and all coalition forces. The army and security agencies implement this program, but the strongest title and the most ferocious tool have become the "hill thugs" of the colonial settlers who work to "cleanse" the Palestinian West Bank of its people, reduce their numbers, close off opportunities for work and normal life, and kill their lives by burning and destroying homes, properties, farms, and cars. This is done under the protection of the army, which provides cover for them, does not pursue them, and freezes the systems through which they could be prosecuted and subjected to accountability and legal procedures. Recently, it has been observed that Christians are being targeted more than others, and are being exposed to deliberate danger. This is what happened in the villages of Taybeh, Aboud, Birzeit, and Ain Arik, and it was not a coincidence. Rather, it is clear that this is a deliberate policy targeting Christian families and communities, given that these Christian families most likely have extensions outside Palestine, which helps push them to find an alternative to their lives in Palestine, by encouraging them to leave and emigrate to both Americas and other parts of the world, especially since there is a program with some complicit Christian entities that can provide refuge and travel tools for Christians and facilitate them. For the same goal, other parties and organizations that believe in "Christian Zionism" are working in this direction, and are responding to the colonial program to reduce the Palestinian Christian presence, in addition to changing their culture, awareness, and faith by linking Christianity and Zionism. This malicious colonial criminal act is led by the US Ambassador to the colony, Mike Huckabee, who supports the colony and the policies of its far right, including the annexation of the West Bank, and refuses to call it "the West Bank" but rather calls it "Judea and Samaria," meaning it is part of the colony's map. He belongs to the Christian Zionist movement and openly said: "It is difficult for me to understand why everyone who bears the title Christian should not also bear the title Zionist." In response to his actions, tools, and delusions, and others, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem issued a courageous statement in which they expressed their rejection of so-called Christian Zionism, and of the fabrications and interference of the American ambassador who seeks to market this demagogic nonsense. It stated: "The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land affirm to the faithful and to the world that the flock of Christ in this land (Palestine) has been entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have carried this sacred trust through the centuries with steadfastness and faithfulness. The recent activities of some local individuals promoting harmful ideologies, such as so-called Christian Zionism, mislead public opinion, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock. These 'initiatives' have been welcomed and supported by some political entities in Israel (the colony) and outside (the American ambassador), which seek to advance a political agenda that may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land (Palestine) and in the wider Middle East (Arab countries)." The colonial policy requires a declared and clear ecclesiastical stance worldwide, because it targets the Christian heritage in our country, Palestine and Jordan, the origin of Christianity, and in our country it was born, and its content has been stolen, distorted, and alienated from us.