Some Facts For Western Christians This Holiday Season:

some facts for western christians this holiday season:

jesus’ birthplace is under military occupation

bethlehem is surrounded by military checkpoints, an apartheid wall, and over 20 segregated illegal settlements built on stolen land - all designed to keep palestinians (including palestinian christians) under the thumb of oppression

palestinian christians are not allowed to move without restrictions, meaning that many have never and will never see their own holy sites in jerusalem. jerusalem is less than 30 minutes away.

they are often harassed, beaten, or even killed on holidays like christmas and easter.

palestinian christians are forced out of their homes as israel continues to build apartheid walls and illegal settlements

churches have been deliberately targeted in airstrikes, arson attacks, and settler violence

nuns and other clergy have been targeted in violent attacks

indigenous christians of the holy land have begged for help from christian communities abroad, fearing for their lives and even a possible extinction, according to christian religious leaders there

and finally, a message from the archbishop of jerusalem: