ROBIN SHEPHERD: LITTLE CHEER FOR NON MUSLIMS AMONG PALARABS

Posted By on December 27th, 2009

Islamists offer little Christmas cheer for Christians in the Palestinian territoriesThe suffering of the Palestinians is a constant refrain in most of the Western media these days except, that is, when their suffering cannot be blamed on the Israelis. At this time of celebration and festivity for Christians around the world, therefore, you can be sure that the picture presented of the plight of the Palestinian Christians by the BBC and company will not be quite the same as the one presented in an illuminating and timely piece of writing in the Wall Street Journal today by editorial page writer Daniel Schwammenthal.

“In 2007, one year after the Hamas takeover, the owner of Gaza’s only Christian bookstore was abducted and murdered. Christian shops and schools have been firebombed,” he tells us.

From Gaza to the little town of Bethlehem, the Palestinian Christians are not merely being repressed by the aggressive intolerance of Islamic radicals, they are fast disappearing as a feature of Palestinian life.

Quoting Samir Qumsieh, the founder of a Christian TV station whose home has also been firebombed, the author tells us:

“Always a minority religion among the predominantly Muslim Palestinians, Christians are, Mr. Qumsieh says, “melting away,” even in Bethlehem. While they represented about 80% of the city’s population 60 years ago, their numbers are now down to about 20%, a result not just of Muslims’ higher birth rates but also widespread Christian emigration. “Our future as a Christian community here is gloomy,” Mr. Qumsieh says.

That is one Christmas message you’re unlikely to hear much about.

To read the article in full, click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704304504574610022765965390.html

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