Myrrh wrote:Since the Oslo accords when the Palestinian Authority was first given control the life of the Christian Palestinians began to deteriorate rapidly as Islam was made the official religion/government, many who could fled, the population has decreased significantly, and those that couldn't leave have to put up with life controlled again by Muslims, as they were under the Ottoman Empire, and under their Sharia law - they are not equal citizens with the Muslims in their own country. There are many cases of ill treatment, land stolen, etc., with impunity.
Who would you rather live under?
Myrrh
It would be an error to compare Ottoman rule verses Palestinian Authority rule equally in regards to the Palestinian Christians. Ottoman Empire treated the cruelly not only the Palestinian Christian Arabs but also the Arab Moslems all over historical Greater Syria.
It would also an error to state that Palestinians began to deteriorate rapidly as Islam was made the official religion/government.
It is a fact both Palestinian Moslems and Christian conditions have deteriorated drastically since Israel Invaded the West Bank and Gaza. Curfews, roadblocks, confiscation of Palestinian Land, youth including Children are rounded up and jailed without charges, Bulldozing of Homes, the destruction of olive harvests by the Israeli Settlers, Walls constructed by Israel has divided Palestinian villages ,cutting of water to the Palestinian Villages, while the Israeli Settlements nearby with California Style Housing have plenty of water. There was a case where a case where orthodox faithful wanted to re-open an orthodox church in an Israeli Village but where blocked by the Israeli inhabitants. There has been a case one or two Greek orthodox monk who lived in the caves that were murdered by Israeli Settlers. These are just some of the tactic Israel uses to make Palestinians life miserable to make them leave their Homeland.
That is why the Christian Population is dwindling in the Holy Land.
Palestinian Moslems and Christian share the same Language, and Culture. and live in mutual respect for each others Faith , Something that Palestinians did not share with Ottoman Turks size].
It is a fact that Palestinians both Christians and Moslems have good relations and is a model for the Middle East.
Palestinian Authority Officials attend Orthodox Services out of respect in festive Holidays.
Even the Palestinians who are Israeli Citizens who live in proper Israel are treated as third class Citizens. The European Jew is First, the Jews from Arab countries are treated as second class Citizen, and the Palestinan as third Class citizens.
We have witnessed all these. Both my Father , Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather were priests in the Holy Land.