Wedged between Israel and Islam, Christians emigrate from Bethlehem
Sister Ileana, what's it like living today in Bethlehem?
Life is not that which the mass media says it like, or at least it's far from that what people experience on an every day basis. It is that of stability amid abnormal circumstances. In the last few months, people could move about relatively easily. Now both Muslim and Christian Palestinians feel like they are living in an open-air prison. They cannot move about freely to go to work, school and carry out life's normal activities. And this holds true when traveling between Palestine and Israel, and within the Palestinian territory itself.
What kind of problems arise from this?
There are several, among which we find a serious problem that is not often talked about. In Muslim and Arab culture in general there is strong tradition of first cousins intermarrying, in order to preserve family lineage. This has occurred with much less frequency in recent years. Now that travel difficulties are returning back to normal you can image some of the consequences. (With more couples able to unite) many handicapped children are being born, some having serious genetic disorders. Some families have even 3 handicapped offspring.
Is work still a problem?
Yes, it is a really serious issue. In order to find work Palestinians offer themselves to build Jewish establishments and even build the Wall. One just has to think of the state of mind these persons go to work on their confiscated land, where they cannot even gather their own olives now going bad on the trees.
How is the population dealing with such problems?
The situation is unbearable and hence we hear people snapping: "You can't justify suicide bombings, but you can sure understand them." These words, however, never come from Christian mouths. Muslims, even my own nurses, say such things on the other hand It is only once you live here that you understand that hatred is nourished (by such violence) and that now Palestinian conscience is all but desensitized. One of the most recent suicide attacks in Jerusalem occurred right in our neighborhood. And I recognized the house of the bomber on TV when footage was aired of his house being knocked down by Israeli tanks. Suicide bombers know in advance that they will receive 30,000 dollars from terrorist organizations, who do a good job at brainwashing them. Sometimes with such money their families can build more beautiful homes.
And what is the situation like for Christians in the Bethlehem?
Many of them are leaving, choosing to emigrate since Christians easily gain visas to go abroad. Our opinion that behind all this is a game being played between Israel and other countries, like Sweden and Canada. For example, in 2003 a thousand or so people left Bethlehem, that is, 10% of the town's 10,000 Christians.
And the reason for such a mass exodus?
This is happening since Christians don't accept the Muslim mentality which justifies terrorist strikes. And Christians tend be, culturally speaking, closer to Jews and feel a greater connection with the Jewish population. And this poses serious problems for them. Christians are wedged between Muslims and Jews, and they suffer the most, as they are weak. One must also point out that they find it hard to adapt. For example, unlike Muslims, they won't take on construction jobs.
What consequences does the emigration of Christians have on the Holy Land?
It poses another serious problem: Christians who emigrate don't understand what the situation is like for other Christians who can't afford to leave the country. Then come the Muslims who, helped by other Arab countries, easily buy up their land and homes. Even demographically speaking, Muslims are stronger: they have an average of 10 children and 3 wives Even in terms of schooling life isn't easy for Christians who can send their children to school only with the help of donations from abroad and foreign sponsorships of their children's education. Otherwise, they would have to attend public schools which are imbued with Islamism and where their chidren easily lose their Christian faith.
Is there hope for the future?
No one is giving in and peace is still non-existent. The rest depends on Jesus who taught us the law of forgiveness. Muslims and Jews still preach the law of retaliation, and what see its ill effects in action every day.
What keeps you moving forward?
Throughout all these tough times I have come to understand the importance of Jesus in our lives. It is He who keeps me moving forward.
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