Let the weapons be silent for at least a fewer days for Christmas, so that people in the cradle of Christianity can celebrate the birth of Christ calmly: specified a want was expressed by Latin Catholics of At-Tajjiba (Taybeh), a Christian Palestinian village close Ramallah.
Even during both planet wars there was a “peace of Christmas”. But even if the arms on the northern border with Lebanon are temporarily suspended under an uncertain agreement, the fighting in the Gaza Strip will continue. The Holy Land awaits the second Christmas war, threatening civilian war in Lebanon and uncertainty about developments in Syria under fresh muslim rulers. The situation in the region was described by a correspondent for the German Catholic agency KNA.
Because of the war, tourists inactive stay away. In Israel this figure has fallen by 75 percent since the beginning of the year, said the German Catholic agency KNA typical of the Ministry of Tourism. These numbers confirmed church sources. The reason is not just safety issues and travel warnings. No flights available and terrible prices even deterred pilgrims who were willing to travel. The financial consequences are dramatic for all who straight or indirectly persist from tourism – including for many local Christians and Christian pensioners.
Economic impacts are hard to bear, especially in occupied Palestinian territories. Many Palestinians working in Israel lost their work permits. Tourism, an crucial economical sector, peculiarly for the Christian triangle of Bethlehem, Bajt Sahur and Bajt Jala, has fallen completely. Churches and Christian institutions reacted with support to the population. The request for social services has increased considerably – reported the Caritas Children's infirmary in Bethlehem, which hard existential situations of many people, taking their treatment costs and granting discounts.
Pilgrimage is now completely safe and crucial to the country and its society, appealed to the Latin patriarch Jerusalem, cardinal. Pierbattist Pizzaball, repeatedly calling for the normalization of pilgrimage tourism. But do possible pilgrims trust him?
The neighbouring countries affected by the war besides have a hard year. After the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, there is simply a large concern that the remaining Hezbollah weapons can be utilized in their own country, said KNA Michel Constantin, Regional manager of the Papal Mission for Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Egypt. He besides warned against the danger of another civilian war.
Meanwhile, Syria has a unusual mix of joy over the fall of the Assad government (Muslim and Liberal sides) and uncertainty about what they are actually planning to do with the country fresh rulers from the extremist muslim circle. Local Christians reported that they were assured that they would proceed to execute spiritual services and ceremonies. Organizations of ecclesiastical aid, specified as Caritas Internationalis, besides talk of good experiences and a position of cooperation.
Churches and spiritual institutions played an active function in supporting the needy civilian population in all affected countries. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, in cooperation with the Order of Malta and the local Caritas, delivered tons of food to the Gaza Strip – humanitarian aid, not only a fewer 100 another Christians benefited. In Gaza and Lebanon ecclesiastical institutions opened their doors to supply protection for internally displaced people, and in Aleppo, Syria, Franciscans besides aid by beginning kitchens with soup and handing out bread.
At the same time, especially in Jerusalem, the atmosphere against Christians deteriorated. Observers documented an increase in hostility from extremist Jews. The war was besides a victim of interreligious dialogue. While there are inactive bottom-up initiatives that sustain the request for "peace, equality and justice for all people between the river and the lake", there is simply a deep crisis at the level of authoritative dialogue, especially with judaic representatives. The fresh statements by the Churches of the Holy Land on the war in Gaza have caused discontent.
Overall, the mediate East is experiencing immense social and political conflicts that affect everyone in the region, says the cardinals. Pizzaball. For example, the advanced number of Christians who leave the country shows that they are under peculiar pressure. The remaining of these people in the cradle of Christianity will depend on whether there is simply a political position that besides corresponds to the spiritual and spiritual mentality of the region. But for now, there is no exit strategy. The improvement of the situation so remains questionable.
Source: KAI
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