How the Christian Population Has Been Decimated Under Palestinian Rule

Over the last century, this once-thriving community has experienced a staggering 90% reduction in population, particularly in historically significant Christian strongholds like Bethlehem and Gaza.

Dec 24, 2024

A dramatic and symbolic digital illustration of a desolate ruined church. The scene depicts an old stone church, abandoned and crumbling, with its roof partially collapsed and overgrown with weeds. The stained-glass windows are shattered, with broken fragments scattered across a dusty, barren ground. Heavy, ominous clouds fill the sky, casting deep shadows over the church and emphasizing the desolation. No figures are present, highlighting the sense of abandonment and isolation. A faint light from the sky barely illuminates the scene, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the decay. The overall color palette is muted, with shades of gray, brown, and subtle gold tones.

A startling new report by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA) has shed light on the alarming decline of the Christian population in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas. Over the last century, this once-thriving community has experienced a staggering 90% reduction in population, particularly in historically significant Christian strongholds like Bethlehem and Gaza. Christians, who constituted 11% of the population in 1922, now account for a mere 1% of the demographic landscape in these territories. This dramatic demographic shift is rooted in systemic persecution, socio-economic instability, and the erosion of religious freedoms, exacerbated by ineffective governance and cultural discrimination.

Numbers That Tell a Story of Loss

The numbers tell a sobering story. In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christianity, Christians made up 86% of the population in 1950. Today, that figure has fallen to just 10%. Gaza, once home to 5,000 Christians before Hamas seized control in 2007, now has fewer than 1,000 Christians remaining. Across the broader West Bank and Gaza regions, the Christian population has steadily declined, despite marginal increases in absolute numbers recorded in periodic censuses. While Christians numbered 40,055 in the PA's 1997 census, they represented just 1.5% of the population at the time. By 2017, the number had risen slightly to 46,850, but their share had dropped further, to only 1%.

Violence and Fear: Living Without Protection

The JCFA report attributes this decline to a combination of violence, harassment, and neglect. Christians in these regions frequently face intimidation, including attacks on churches, threats to clergy, and systemic discrimination. In one instance, a mob attacked the Forefathers Orthodox Church in Beit Sahour near Bethlehem in 2022, injuring several congregants. Such incidents are common, but justice is rare. When Christian families attempt to seek redress, they encounter institutional bias, with PA police and courts often failing to intervene on their behalf. This leaves Christians vulnerable to exploitation and violence, with many choosing to emigrate rather than endure constant threats to their safety and livelihood.

Coercion and Discrimination Under Hamas Rule

The report also highlights the unique challenges faced by Christians under the rule of Hamas in Gaza. Converts to Christianity live in secrecy, fearing violence or death for abandoning Islam. Even those who openly identify as Christian must navigate a society where religious coercion is commonplace. Instances of forced conversions have been documented, and in some cases, Christians have reported being kidnapped and pressured to adopt Islam. Such actions are not merely acts of individual zealotry but are indicative of broader societal and institutional pressures that seek to erase Christian identity in the region.

Cultural and Economic Marginalization

In addition to physical violence, Christians face cultural and economic marginalization. Christian businesses are often boycotted or extorted, while Christian landowners are systematically deprived of their rights. In Bethlehem, the Comtsieh family lost their land to a Muslim family from Hebron, who constructed a business center without permission. While the family initially won their case in court, the ruling was reversed without due process, illustrating the bias entrenched in the judicial system. Such cases highlight the precarious position of Christians in a society where the rule of law offers little protection to minorities.

Religious and cultural erasure further compound the crisis. Churches are frequently vandalized or desecrated, with incidents going unreported due to fear of reprisal. Christian holidays and public celebrations are often disrupted or suppressed, fostering an environment where public expressions of faith are fraught with danger. In one instance, a Christmas tree in the village of Zababdeh was set ablaze by Islamists in 2015, a stark example of the hostility Christians face. School curricula in PA-controlled areas omit or distort Christian history, creating ignorance and prejudice among Muslim students. This systemic marginalization has a profound impact on the younger generation, many of whom see emigration as their only option for a secure and dignified future.

Breaking the Silence: A Call for Global Action

The JCFA report concludes that the survival of Christianity in its birthplace depends on global awareness and action. The international community has largely ignored the plight of Palestinian Christians, focusing instead on isolated incidents involving Jewish extremists while overlooking systemic abuses by the PA and Hamas. This silence emboldens perpetrators and leaves victims without recourse, perpetuating the cycle of persecution and exodus. As Lt. Col. Maurice Hirsch noted, "The survival of Christianity in its birthplace depends on awareness and action. Silence strengthens the perpetrators and leaves the victims without international support."

This report serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of minority communities in conflict zones. Without intervention, the Christian population in these regions may continue to dwindle, threatening not only their cultural and religious heritage but also the very survival of Christianity in the land of its origins. The time for action is now, before the birthplace of Christianity is left without Christians.