EREZ CROSSING, Israel — More than 500 members of the Gaza Strip's tiny Christian community left the blockaded territory on Thursday to participate in Christmas celebrations in Jesus' traditional birthplace of Bethlehem.
The Israeli military coordinated the rare passage to the West Bank ahead of the holiday, saying it was part of its goal to ensure freedom of worship for all religions.
About 3,500 Christians live in Gaza among 1.5 million Muslims. Relations have traditionally been good, though there has been sporadic violence against Christians since the Islamic Hamas movement wrestled control of the strip three years ago.
Residents leaving Gaza on Thursday played down any differences with Hamas, saying they were in solidarity as Palestinians in the struggle against Israel.
"Of course I am very happy that I will see my relatives and join them for Christmas. It happens only once a year," said Hatem Al-Far. "The only problem is they (the Israelis) did not issue permits for all of my children."
During the Hamas takeover, vandals ransacked a Roman Catholic convent and an adjacent school, breaking crosses and smashing the face of a ceramic Jesus.
In the following months, unidentified assailants detonated a bomb outside a Christian school, firebombed a Christian bookshop and killed a Christian who worked at one.
Hamas says it is committed to protecting the Christian minority, but no arrests have been made in any of the incidents.
Christians currently comprise less than 2 percent of the population in the West Bank and Gaza, compared to about 15 percent in 1950. Like many other Christian communities across the Middle East, many have moved abroad to flee political tensions or in search of economic opportunities.
Rev. David Neuhaus, the Roman Catholic vicar for the Hebrew-speaking Christian population in the Holy Land, said violence against Gaza Christians was largely the work of "Islamic fundamental vigilante justice," and not the Hamas regime. Nonetheless, he said Christian daily life was extremely difficult.
"They are not targeted by authorities but life is not simple when you live minute by minute according to the mores of a different religion," he said. "The Islamic lifestyle that is being imposed is foreign to how Christians lead their lives."
Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas took over. Most people are banned from leaving.
Moving to gradually ease the blockade, Israel will allow Gazans to export peppers starting next week. This follows an earlier decision to permit export of textiles, furniture and agricultural products.
Wasseem El Sarraj: Gazans Are No Fools
Mike Ghouse: Building Respect This Christmas
Daoud Kuttab: Why Do U.S. Officials Boycott Bethlehem's Mayor?
Eric Simpson: The Meek Are Reconciled with the Earth: The Basis for Christian Ecology
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/23-12-2010/116337-israel_christmas-0/
OK Let me check you for weapons.
Would it help to know that belief in Christ has always been around and Islam is perhaps no more than14 hundred years old and never even existed when Messiah was here.
This happened to the Catholic Church in Wales. Catholics from all over Britain, including Thomas More's family, sought sanctuary in Wales. But the priests were too comfortable in their fireside studies to get on horses and go up into the hills with the sacraments. It was the Methodist circuit riders who took their Bibles and went into the mountains. An Irish Monsiegnor told me this.
I thought you might enjoy this. Merry Christmas!
We should already be moving.
Thanks and Merry Christmas.
We have a somewhat late white Christmas here but it is very nice.
q> never even existed when Messiah was here.
What other prejudices do you have besides an age of a religion? Since you have wiped out all Christians and Muslims- the number #1 and #2 religions in the world? Don't like Zen Buddhists? No Sikhs?
Islam has no Messiah and only God our Creator Himself could ever be our Messiah.
There is no other truth than that.
It has nothing to do with the prejudices that you are familiar with, it has to do with what is observable and what is true.
well, maybe shot is a bad term to use.
I see no reason for any problems.
Maybe in 2011, you can pick up some history books. Here's one:
http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=/isbn=9780880294522/search=9780880294522/st=query&mode=about_historymedren&
From the Article:
"The Penal Law Amendment (Enticement to Change Religion�Law, 5738-1977) was passed by Knesset during Christmas week (Dec. 27, 1977) and went into effect Easter week (April 1, 1978). Violation is punishable by 5 years in prison or a fine of 50,000 Israeli pounds (or the equivalent in shekels). It is enforced against those attempting to convert someone to their faith if a material benefit is offered. The state of Israel also metes out 3 years in prison, or a 30,000 Israeli pound fine, against a Jew who receives such materials and converts. The Law says: �1. Whoever gives or promises to a person money, money�s worth or some other material benefit in order to induce him to change his religion or in order that he may induce another person to change his religion is liable to imprisonment for 5 years or a fine of 50,000 pounds. 2. Whosoever receives or agrees to receive money, money�s worth or some other material benefit in return for a promise to change his religion or to cause another person to change his religion is liable for imprisonment for a term of 3 years or a fine of 30,000 pounds."
More in the article.
However, the Israelis would never allow the Muslims from Gaza to leave for Haj or even visit the holly dome in Jerusalem during the Islamic holiday, would they??
To him, anything but total silence is unacceptable.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4AS24520081129
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQm8T6_EHMo&feature=player_embedded
No... We will not stoop that low.....