INCREASING HARASSMENT OF CHRISTIANS IN JERUSALEM

The current picture of Christianity in the ancient city of Jerusalem presented by staff of the Rossing Centre through their webinar Tuesday morning (Sydney time) contains darkness and light, sadness and hope.

Incidents of physical and verbal attacks on Christians have risen sharply in the last two years. The database created by the Rossing Centre to gather incidents of harassments against Christian clergy is an initiative to alert Jewish civic authorities to the ongoing issue, not with the purpose of blaming or 'pointing the finger', but to take a stand and encourage respect. (During our time volunteering for the Rossing Centre in 2023, Chris experienced the glare and spit aimed at her feet in the Old City, and she had no Christian symbols on display.)

We heard on the webinar about an Armenian priest, who for many years enjoyed his daily walk around the Old City but now is fearful to leave the monastery. A nun, recently confronted by an individual, repeatedly "cursing Jesus". Physical and verbal assaults have a long history, especially in the Old City, continue to increase.

Incidents outside Jerusalem also are on the rise, including the Galilee. Cooperation between administrative authorities and organisers of major traditional religious festivals is increasingly strained with the imposition of greater restrictions.

A serious challenge to the future of a Christian presence in the Holy Land is the low birthrate of Christian Palestinian women and the number of Palestinians considering immigrating.

Amid the darkness, rays of light. Clergy now are more willing to report harassment than remain silent and the police appear to be more responsive to incidents. Clergy are glad the Rossing Centre 'have their back.' The staff and volunteers continue to hold hope for a better future. Their plea to us is - keep 'all in your prayers and advocacy.' 'Don't take sides.' 'Choose hope.'