Israel to Give Gaza Christians Permits for Christmas Holiday
Israeli authorities on Wednesday said they would permit 500 members of the Gaza Strip’s tiny Christian community to enter Israel and the occupied West Bank to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas in Bethlehem: Gilded Treasures, but Few Tourists
Ahead of Christmas, a towering wooden screen — once blackened with soot from millions of worshipers’ candles — is being restored to its gilded glory in the Church of the Nativity, built at the site where many believe Jesus was born. But few visitors are expected
Palestinians May Limit Christmas Celebrations in Bethlehem
The Palestinian Health Ministry has recommended strict limits on Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Celebrations in the biblical town revered by Christians as Jesus’s birthplace are usually attended by thousands of people from around the world.
Advice for Armenians & Azerbaijanis, from Israel-Palestine
After three decades of reconciliation work in Jerusalem, here’s what I’ve learned when protracted conflict involves religion, land, and history. Read full piece
Baptists in Middle East Warn Against Israeli Annexation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly working on plans to annex about one-third of the Palestinian West Bank into Israel, but Baptists in the region are speaking out against such a move. While many U.S. evangelicals support the modern secular nation of Israel, Baptists
Should Evangelicals Terminate Their Affair with the State of Israel?
Alex Awad, pastor at East Jerusalem Baptist Church and a professor at Bethlehem Bible College, argues that U.S. evangelicals should oppose an expected move by Israel to annex part of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Middle East Peace Plan Makes Sense Until You Read It, Christian Peace Activist Says
After Palestinian National Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas’ stormy rejection of the plan last week (Feb. 11), Christians who work for justice in Palestine were reminded why they don’t like it.
Relic Thought to Be From Jesus’ Manger Arrives in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — A tiny wooden relic that some Christians believe to be part of Jesus' manger arrived Saturday in its permanent home in the biblical city of Bethlehem 1,400 years after it was sent to Rome as a gift to the pope.
Pompeo: All Faiths Will Have ‘Something to Say’ on Forthcoming Peace Plan
(RNS) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said people of all faiths will have “something to say” about the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan the White House is expected to announce after Israel’s elections in two weeks.
Evangelicals Visit West Bank to See Life — and Christian Faith — on the Other Side
NABI SALEH, West Bank (RNS) — Nabi Saleh is the last place one might expect to find a group of evangelical Christians, a demographic known