ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED IN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES? A TRUTHFUL AND BALANCED ANALYSIS
By Josimar Salum
July 15, 2025
The condition of Christians in the Holy Land—specifically in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza—is a complex and often misunderstood subject. Accusations of persecution, discrimination, or neglect are frequently made from various ideological standpoints. But what do the facts say? Are Christians persecuted in Israel? What about in the Palestinian Territories? And how do these conditions compare?
This article aims to offer an honest, well-documented, and biblically-informed overview of the status of Christians living in the land that bears the spiritual heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike.
Biblical and Historical Context
From a biblical perspective, the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people by divine covenant:
“I will give to you and your descendants after you the land… as an everlasting possession.” — Genesis 17:8
For believers who accept the authority of Scripture, Israel is not an occupying power—it is the rightful heir to the land promised by God. This fundamental truth is not always acknowledged in international law or politics, which use the term “occupation” for post-1967 territories. But for many Christians, that term is a misrepresentation of God’s covenantal promises.
Christians in Israel: Legal Rights and Religious Freedom
Christians living within the recognized borders of the State of Israel—in cities like Nazareth, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Jaffa—enjoy full legal rights and freedom of religion. The law guarantees their right to worship, gather, evangelize (with some limitations in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods), and operate schools and churches without restriction.
Many Christians in Israel are citizens with equal civil rights, and some serve in public roles as judges, parliamentarians, lawyers, professors, and even IDF officers. Public celebrations of Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter are common in cities with large Christian populations, and Israel protects access to major holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Beatitudes, and others.
While state-sponsored persecution does not exist, Christians sometimes experience social discrimination, especially from radical fringe groups. Isolated acts of vandalism, verbal abuse, and disrespect toward clergy or Christian symbols have been reported—particularly in Jerusalem—by extremist elements in the ultra-Orthodox community. These acts, though serious, are consistently condemned by Israeli officials, and while enforcement can sometimes be inconsistent, the State of Israel defends the legal rights of its Christian citizens.
Christians in the Palestinian Territories: West Bank and Gaza
The situation for Christians in the Palestinian-administered territories—particularly under Hamas in Gaza—is markedly different.
In Gaza: Clear and Documented Persecution
Gaza, ruled by Hamas since 2007, has become increasingly hostile to the small Christian community that once lived there. The Christian population has plummeted from around 3,000 to fewer than 1,000, primarily due to persecution and fear. Christians have been subjected to harassment, threats, forced conversions, property destruction, and even murder. One widely reported case was the 2007 assassination of Rami Ayyad, a Christian bookstore manager, by Islamic extremists.
Under Hamas, religious freedom for Christians is practically nonexistent. Evangelism is dangerous, Christian education is heavily restricted, and public Christian celebrations like Christmas are discouraged or suppressed. Christians who remain in Gaza live under constant pressure and often in silence.
In the West Bank: Social Pressure, External Threats, and Legal Vulnerability
In contrast to Gaza, the West Bank (administered by the Palestinian Authority) presents a more nuanced and layered reality. There is no formal law outlawing Christianity, but Christians still face social and institutional pressures in majority-Muslim communities. While there are towns like Taybeh—also known biblically as Ephraim—where Christians form the majority and maintain strong traditions, Christian minorities in other areas often report land theft, discrimination, and harassment.
A particularly violent incident occurred in 2005, when a Muslim mob attacked and burned Christian homes in Taybeh following a rumor of an interfaith relationship. Though the PA condemned the violence, justice was slow, and Christian leaders have repeatedly called for stronger protections.
More recently, on July 7, 2025, the Christian town of Taybeh was again the target of violence—this time by radical Jewish settlers, who set fire near the ancient Church of St. George and its adjacent cemetery, causing widespread alarm in the community. The Israeli government condemned the attack publicly. However, critics pointed out that no concrete protective measures were taken, and no arrests were made. While Taybeh lies in Area B, under Palestinian civil administration, Christian leaders emphasized that Israel controls the surrounding security environment and urged Israeli authorities to prevent such acts of aggression in the future.
In addition to these social and security threats, Christians in the West Bank are affected by Israeli-imposed security restrictions, including checkpoints, border controls, and a complex permit system. These are tied to legitimate national security concerns but nonetheless hinder Christian mobility, economic stability, and access to Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Furthermore, economic hardship and political instability have fueled a steady emigration trend. Many West Bank Christians—often educated and internationally connected—have emigrated to the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Europe in search of safety, opportunity, and religious freedom.
How Do These Realities Compare?
To summarize:
• In Israel, Christians enjoy religious freedom, civil rights, and state protection. While incidents of harassment exist, especially from radical individuals, there is no government policy of persecution, and Christians thrive in many aspects of public and spiritual life.
• In the West Bank, Christians live under a difficult balance: they are not officially persecuted by the Palestinian Authority but face social hostility in some Muslim-majority areas, lack strong legal protection, and are sometimes victims of external settler violence. Israeli security controls, while meant for national protection, further complicate access to worship sites and economic activity.
• In Gaza, Christians are openly persecuted under Hamas rule. Their religious rights are denied, their safety is threatened, and their community is rapidly disappearing. This is a clear and ongoing case of religious oppression under a radical Islamist regime.
A Word to Believers
As followers of Christ, we must approach this issue with both truth and compassion. Christians in Israel are, by and large, safe and free. In the Palestinian territories—especially Gaza—the situation is far more precarious and dangerous. The sharp decline of Christians in the very land of its birth is deeply troubling and demands our attention, our intercession, and our voice.
We must support Israel’s right to exist and flourish, acknowledging its vital role in protecting religious minorities, including Christians, in a hostile region. At the same time, we must defend our persecuted brothers and sisters under Palestinian and Islamist regimes and resist attempts to politicize or downplay their suffering. Our concern must be rooted not in ideology, but in the unshakable truth of God’s Word and love for His people.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May those who love you be secure.’”
— Psalm 122:6
#ASONE
