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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Christian Population Falls in Holy Land
2006-11-12
For decades, it was mostly economic pressures pushing Palestinian Christians to emigrate, using family ties in the West or contacts from missionary schools. The Palestinian uprisings _ and the separation barrier started by Israel in 2002 _ accelerated the departures by turning once-bustling pilgrimage sites such as Bethlehem into relative ghost towns.

The growing strength of radical Islamic movements has added distinct new worries. During the protests after the pope's remarks in September, some of the worst violence was in Palestinian areas with churches firebombed and hit by gunfire.

The native Palestinian Christian population has dipped below 2 percent of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Arab East Jerusalem, down from at least 15 percent in 1950 by some estimates. Meanwhile, the Muslim Palestinian birthrate is among the highest in the world.
Posted by:Pappy

#6  One of reasons, but not the only reason, that Muslim birth rates are high is becuz Muslim mortality rates, espec among Males, is also high. Many Muslim males can survive childhood and teen years, but not early Middle Age like the Russians. An African is lucky iff he sees ages 15-18.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2006-11-12 22:33  

#5  a Christian restaurant owner, Ibrahim Shomali, is selling what he can before he leaves with his wife this month. They will head for Flint, Mich.,

Isn't Flint a Muslim population center? I know this is probably just too paranoid, but this article just gives me pause regarding the possiblity of terrorists posing as Christians to put down people's guard to achieve their goals.
Posted by: anon   2006-11-12 11:22  

#4  I am so sick of the "racism" lie. If every Arab in the West Bank was Christian I expect the whole thing would have been peacefully incorporated into Israel decades ago. Failing that, an Arab Christian Palestine would have become an independent state long ago and would thrive upon tourism and the fruits of its agricultural labour and high-tech micro-industry. The only difference between that would and the actual world is Islam, "religion" of failure.
Posted by: Excalibur   2006-11-12 09:11  

#3  The choice is either stand up against Muslim radicals or doom Holy Land Christianity to a slow death, said Ayman Abuaita, a Christian leader who previously served in the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, which has waged suicide bombings against Israelis.

"This is our land. This is where our faith was born," he said. "We cannot be weak and just fade away."

Some are trying to change the momentum. Groups dedicated to Muslim-Christian cooperation are active. During the protests over Benedict's remarks, militiamen from Islamic Jihad vowed to protect a West Bank church.

What's the point here? This article is all over the map. As far as I can tell, the point is: Christians should stay in the Holy Land so they can be human shields and pay money to the Muslim protection rackets. Uh.. no thanks.
Posted by: anon   2006-11-12 03:07  

#2  Of course, the fact the Christian population of Israel has increased over the same period is irrelevant.
Posted by: phil_b   2006-11-12 00:36  

#1  From the article:
a Christian restaurant owner, Ibrahim Shomali, is selling what he can before he leaves with his wife this month. They will head for Flint, Mich.,

Mr. Shomali is truly desperate. People now living in Flint are all trying to go anywhere but to the middle East.
Posted by: Crairong Omomotch6492   2006-11-12 00:09  

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