Birthplace of Jesus Squeezed into 11 Square Kilometers

The pressures faced by the Christian population living in the occupied West Bank have been brought to the forefront of US politics. During her visit to Bethlehem, former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene met with Mayor Maher Canawati to evaluate the impact of illegal Israeli settlements and military practices on the Christian community.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Greene highlighted that the hardships faced by Christians in Bethlehem—the birthplace of Jesus Christ—are not sufficiently known by the American public. Greene stated, "Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus. American Christians are largely unaware of the persecution happening there, but they need to learn and raise their voices."

Checkpoints and Constricting Living Space

The meeting also addressed the changes in Bethlehem’s demographic and geographic structure. According to data shared by Greene, there are currently 139 Israeli military checkpoints in the city. Even more striking is the data regarding the city's surface area: Bethlehem, which once spread across 66 square kilometers, has been squeezed into just 11 square kilometers today due to settlement policies and restrictions.

"Churches are Being Targeted"

Sharing information received from Mayor Canawati, Greene emphasized that Christians in the region desire to live in peace with their Jewish and Muslim neighbors, but their legally owned homes are being seized by settlers.

The statement also touched upon the pressure on Christians in Gaza and the West Bank, recalling that Christians have lost their lives and churches have been targeted in Israeli attacks on Gaza. Pointing out that the Christian presence in the region is in danger, Greene asked: "What does the Holy Land mean without Christians?"