Christian Progroms Increase With Little Coverage

An oft under-reported calamity is the persecution of Christians in Muslim countries or Muslim dominated countries. One such place is the Palestinian Authority. Christian churches have been burned and desecrated by Muslim terrorists within Gaza and the West Bank. Christian communities have been terrorized, and their businesses have been forced to shut down due to threats by, either, terrorist groups or local tribal gangs. Hamas has mentioned numerous times that it wants to slowly begin instituting Shari'a law into the PA, and charge Christian citizens dhimmii taxes. Some tribal leaders have already begun this. Unable to deal with the escalating threats, violence, and dhimmitude, Christian Arabs are leaving the PA in droves. It must be added, that contrary to popular opinion, Christians did NOT suffer this discrimination and violence when the PA was under Israeli authority.

Christian Arab Exodus on Upswing

The exodus of Christian Arabs from Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled areas has gained momentum amidst increasing Muslim anti-Christian incitement, The Associated Press reported. The dwindling Christian Arab population in Bethlehem parallels a similar phenomenon in other Arab countries.

"Most of the Christians here are either in the process of leaving, planning to leave or thinking of leaving," Sami Awad, executive director of the Holy Land Trust, told AP. "Insecurity is deep and getting worse." The Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land said Christians could become "extinct" in the area within 60 years.

A Christian restaurant owner, Ibrahim Shomali, is selling what he can before he leaves with his wife this month for Flint, Michigan. "We Christians now feel like we are on the cross," he said.

Technorati Tags: Israel, Gaza, PA, Palestinian+Authority, West, Bank, Christian, Terror