Bethlehem:Christians in Bethlehem have strongly refuted claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the emigration of Christians from the city. Netanyahu's remarks were made during an address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he suggested an increase in Christian emigration under the Palestinian National Authority's administration.
According to the Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA - English, Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania described Netanyahu's statements as lies aimed at disrupting Palestinian unity. Hanania highlighted that the Israeli occupation, not the Palestinian Authority, is the primary cause of Christian emigration. Bethlehem is encircled by 27 settlements, and military checkpoints restrict citizen movement and access. He emphasized that the Palestinian National Authority supports the Christian community, which is integral to the social fabric, as demonstrated by the composition of the Bethlehem Municipal Council.
Walid al-Shomali, Director of the Palestinian Center for Studies and Dialogue of Civilizations, noted that historical data shows a significant decrease in Bethlehem's Christian population due to Israeli occupation and political pressures, rather than Palestinian governance. He argued that such emigration results from economic and political hardships imposed by the occupation, affecting both Christians and Muslims.
Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of Dar al-Kalima University criticized Netanyahu's assertions as propaganda, highlighting that the Christian population has been diminishing due to ongoing occupation measures. He pointed out that Bethlehem is heavily impacted by settlements occupying 86% of its land, and restrictive military measures exacerbate the exodus of Christians.
Anton Salman, Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, accused Israel of leveraging the Christian issue against the Palestinian Authority. He condemned the broader context of Israeli policies that limit freedom and exacerbate economic difficulties, leading to emigration. Similarly, Ramzi Khoury of the Palestine Liberation Organization stressed that the Israeli occupation's arbitrary actions are central to the decline of the Christian population, with multiple violations against religious sites and institutions.
Khoury called for concrete actions to protect Christian presence, including halting settlement expansion and ensuring freedom of worship and access to holy sites. He affirmed that Palestinian Christians remain committed to their land and heritage despite these challenges.