Palestinian Christians Face Exodus from West Bank Amid Economic Hardships
Increasingly, Palestinian Christians, who refer to themselves as 'living stones' and assert their continuous presence in the Holy Land for 2,000 years, are departing the West Bank due to worsening humanitarian and economic situations. Reverend Mitri Raheb, who is the founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, cautions that if the current state of affairs continues, there may be no Palestinian Christians left by 2050. Since the onset of the Gaza Strip conflict nearly three years ago, hundreds have left. Issa Qassis, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Ramallah, is contemplating a move to the United States, expressing feelings of frustration and hopelessness. This exodus highlights the broader difficulties confronting the region's Christian community.
Key facts
- Palestinian Christians have lived in the Holy Land for 2,000 years.
- Reverend Mitri Raheb predicts no Palestinian Christians will remain by 2050 if conditions continue.
- Hundreds of Christians have left the West Bank since the Gaza war began nearly three years ago.
- Issa Qassis, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, is considering leaving Ramallah for the United States.
- The departure is driven by economic and security uncertainties.
- Dar al-Kalima University is located in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.
- Qassis has been seriously considering emigration for about a year.
- The situation is described as 'frustrating and hopeless' by Qassis.
Entities
Artists
- Mitri Raheb
- Issa Qassis
Institutions
- Dar al-Kalima University
Locations
- West Bank
- Bethlehem
- Ramallah
- United States
- Gaza Strip