How Can This Be?
In the birthplace of Jesus, Christians are facing unprecedented hardship. Once a thriving community, Bethlehem’s Christians are now struggling to survive.
The Crisis Unfolded
Bethlehem, often thought to be part of Israel, is actually located in the West Bank. Following the 1993 Oslo Accords, Bethlehem came under the control of the Palestinian Authority. While many Christians worked in tourism or commuted to Israel with permits, the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, changed everything.
· Israel closed all access to the West Bank, including Bethlehem, cutting off job opportunities.
· The tourism industry has collapsed, leaving 90% of Bethlehem’s Christians unemployed.
· Christians are caught in the crossfire, as violence between Israeli forces and Hamas escalates.