Palestinian Christians call on American evangelicals to stop ignoring their plight

Palestinian Christians in the occupied West Bank are appealing to American evangelicals to reconsider their stance on the region's political and religious landscape, arguing that their suffering is being overlooked amid growing support for Israeli settlements. In Bethlehem, Father Munther Isaac, director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice, emphasized the urgent need for attention to the plight of Palestinian Christians, whose communities are increasingly threatened by expanding Israeli settlements and rising tensions. Isaac and Father Bashar Fawadleh, leader of the last entirely Christian town in the West Bank, Taybeh, are urging American evangelicals, particularly followers of Christian Zionism, to recognize the impact of their support for Israeli policies. They claim that the theological framework used to justify these policies often overlooks the lived realities of Palestinian Christians, including frequent attacks on churches, restrictions on movement, and displacement from ancestral lands. Fawadleh noted that over the past three years, more than 90 residents have left Taybeh, reducing its population to around 1,200. He described the situation as dire, with local farmers fearing violence while trying to harvest olives and businesses facing regular settler attacks. The expansion of Israeli settlements has intensified in recent months, forcing many Muslim and Christian families to relocate. For Isaac, who grew up in Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, the changes are deeply personal. As a child, he walked freely to nearby churches and historical sites, but now the area is largely surrounded by Israel’s separation wall, which stands nearly 26 feet tall. This barrier, originally built to prevent suicide bombers from reaching Jerusalem, has effectively restricted access to holy sites for many Palestinians, including Christians. Taybeh, historically known as Ephraim in the Gospel of John, faces increasing pressure from surrounding settlements. Roland Bassir, owner of a cement factory near the town, stated that his business is frequently targeted by settlers. He expressed concern about the future for himself and his family, saying he would prefer to leave the area rather than remain in a place with diminishing prospects. Christian leaders say that the ideological foundation for these developments lies in the belief held by many American evangelicals, that supporting the establishment of a Jewish state in the Holy Land aligns with biblical prophecy and prepares the way for the return of Jesus Christ. This perspective, known as Christian Zionism, has led to increased financial and moral backing for Israeli settlement activities, despite the harm caused to indigenous populations. Organizations such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and Christian Friends of Israeli Communities (CFOIC) actively promote this viewpoint. CUFI highlights biblical passages that it interprets as endorsing the idea of a Jewish homeland, while CFOIC refers to settlements as “communities” in the regions of Judea and Samaria. Its website encourages donors to contribute to the “flourishing” of these areas, framing the effort as a divine mission. Kimberly Troup, director of the U.S. office for CFOIC, acknowledged her connections with local clergy in Bethlehem but did not directly address the concerns raised by Palestinian Christian leaders. She maintained that the organization’s focus is on supporting communities in the Holy Land, without commenting on the broader implications for Palestinian Christians. The issue has drawn criticism from religious authorities in Jerusalem, including the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches, who recently condemned Christian Zionism as a harmful ideology. They argued that it distorts the core message of Christianity, which emphasizes love for one’s neighbor, rather than prioritizing geopolitical agendas.