Tensions and Resilience: Christians in Israel’s Complex Landscape

MOUNT TABOR, Israel (AP) — Sister Mayela dons her veil and habit near where a fellow Catholic nun was attacked in Jerusalem’s Old City. Now, a Jewish volunteer escorts her for safety. Christians in Israel, making up under 2% of the populace, worry that visible signs of their faith might lead to harassment, which has risen amid regional conflicts.

“I’m scared after the sister was beaten,” shares Sister Mayela, a Mexican nun in Jerusalem on and off for over 20 years. She recalls a past where interactions varied yet were generally peaceful. Now, she trusts in God while facing new challenges.

Recently, while accompanied by a volunteer, a teen spat on the ground behind them. Although the teen claimed it was unintentional, the volunteer reported the incident to the police. Such occurrences highlight the difficulties faced by Christians, particularly after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which reignited conflict and division.

Despite this, improvements in policing and the appointment of a government envoy to the Christian world, who is Greek Orthodox, offer hope to interfaith leaders and researchers. Christians in northern Israel, however, feel neglected by the state concerning crime protection, believing their non-Jewish identity is a factor.

Nonetheless, Catholics recently joined a joyous pilgrimage on Mount Tabor, the site of Jesus’ transfiguration according to the Gospels. “We need to diffuse God’s light,” said Sister Muna, leading a youth group. Preserving coexistence in the Holy Land is crucial for both Christians and Jews, given their shared histories of persecution. “I don’t want Christians to leave their homes in fear,” said Yisca Harani, a Jewish Israeli educator and activist. “I won’t allow history to repeat itself.”

In the Old City’s multifaith setting, interactions among Jews, Muslims, and Christians are common. However, incidents like spitting are not unusual. “It’s vital not to generalize; this fuels antisemitism,” warns Rev. Alberto Pari, who works on Christian-Jewish relations.

The Religious Freedom Data Center, founded by Harani, tracks Christian harassment, noting a tripling of incidents in Jerusalem over the past four years, largely involving Jewish religious nationalists.

In April, a Jewish man from a West Bank settlement was charged with the violent attack on the nun. Her institution, the French Biblical and Archeological School of Jerusalem, anticipates effective legal action, as their director Friar Olivier Poquillon stated.

Government’s Response and Community Support

Following the nun’s attack, Israel’s Ambassador George Deek extended support to Catholic leaders. He is focused on building a “special relationship” between Christians and the country to ensure their safety and combat antisemitism. “Every attack on Christians is immoral and illegal,” Deek told the Associated Press, emphasizing the need for prosecution.

Around this time, incidents involving Israeli soldiers, such as desecrating Christian symbols, drew global criticism. Consequence followed, with military prison sentences. Although harassment is broadly condemned in Israel, religious nationalists, particularly young men, remained a concern. Their hostility is partly rooted in their perception of Christian practices as idol-worship and general intolerance near sacred sites.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict also contributes to Christian-Jewish tensions, as many local Christians in Israel and the West Bank are Palestinian. In Taybeh, the only wholly Christian village in the West Bank, recent attacks by settlers have heightened fears. “All the people here are afraid,” said Rev. Bashar Fawadleh, the village priest. Although the army declared a closed military zone, concerns about Israel’s commitment to controlling settlers persist, even among evangelical supporters of Israel.

The impact of heightened tensions since October 7, 2023, affects interreligious activities. At a peace march in Jerusalem, the interfaith music institute Magnificat’s Palestinian members refused to perform when Israeli flags appeared at the event.

Despite challenges, Christians like those on the Mount Tabor pilgrimage hold on to their faith. They gathered to celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration, maintaining identity amidst adversity.

“It’s tough keeping our identity as Christians, but it’s vital,” said John Akleh, part of Sister Muna’s group. A tradition of sacrifice persists, as shown by ten pilgrims from Nazareth, led by Rev. Fadi Shallufi, climbing Mount Tabor at dawn, even during conflict.

The Role of Faith and Resilience

Sister Muna emphasizes the importance of spreading light in a world troubled by darkness, echoing the Christian duty to aid coexistence and peace.

Faith remains a cornerstone for many, as a sense of unity and resilience prevails, with communities striving to foster peace and understanding in a complex religious landscape.