Life isn't always easy for the Christian community living in Bethlehem.
They are caught in the middle of the troubles.
But who is to blame?
Israel always has to be 1 step ahead of terror.
If it isn't then people die.
That is the simple fact.
It is easy to Criticize but there is a need for security.
Many Palestinians daily come out of the Palestinian Authority including the Christian community and have an opportunity to work in Israel, In fact they get the best of Both worlds.
They get the Israeli wage but don't pay the Israeli rents.
They get to pay the Palestinian rent which is much cheaper.
They queue up at the checkpoint to get into Jerusalem, Some days it is quick, some days it is slow, Sometimes it can be a real pain if it is slow and makes them late, But the security keeps them safe.
I don't like the wall, I remember a time when it wasn't there, I was taken into Bethlehem by Jewish friends in the 90's, Jews could go in and Palestinians could go out.
But now everything has changed.
I have been on an Arab bus, wanting to get home and feeling very tired when the soldiers pull the bus over and want to check our Id's
It's a pain, Its annoying but it is security.
People want to kill others, that is the basic fact.
Those security checks keep Israelis safe and they keep Palestinians safe.
A suicide bomber going into a Cafe, he doesn't check someones ID before they blow themselves up, They just do it and whoever is in the Location is killed or injured, whether it is Israeli Or Palestinian. Muslim Christian or Jew.
Security is important, We see that at the airport.
We moan and complain when we have to line up, we get annoyed when they take the bottle of water off us or we leave a tube of toothpaste in our hand luggage and it is more than 100ml. But that is life under security.
When September the 11th 2001 happened when Islamic terrorists flew planes into the World trade centre and the pentagon, Everything changed. Things became stricter, It wasn't my fault but I felt the reverberations of it.
In 2000 the second intifada happened.
I remember very well the Park Hotel being bombed on Passover night in Netanya, 30 people were killed and 140 people were injured, Of course security had to be tighter.
Every time Terrorists try something new then Israel has had to adapt. Car rammings occurred next to bus stops so Israel has to adapt, now we have bollards around the bus stop to protect innocent civilians.
Of course the main question is what is more important: security or freedom.
Israel could take down the wall tomorrow and give Palestinians freedom to come into Israel but what would the outcome be?
Would we see more October the 7th Terror attacks taking place?
And who would suffer afterwards?
It is easy to criticize when you don't live in the reality of what is going on every day. And sadly innocent people like the Palestinian christian community suffer.
Bethlehem has suffered greatly since October the 7th 2023, because of its reliance on tourism
Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem over the years have decided to leave the country because Life is tough, I know many who have left. But sadly as the Christian community of cities like Bethlehem decline Islam becomes stronger and stronger.
Everyone suffers when terror takes place but at that moment when you know you are going to suffer, Then there is a tremendous opportunity, it is the opportunity to be Salt and Light in our community.
Matthew 5 v 13 – 16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let us remember when the world fires its worst then it is a time for the Palestinian Christian community to shine. When Terror reigns then the Palestinian church can have a heart of compassion for those in pain. And those who are suffering on both sides of the divide.
It's a chance for Jesus to really shine and the Palestinian Christian community to be Salt and Light.
Whatever the Palestinian Church goes through it needs balanced eyes to see the other in honest light and it needs to be salt and light. It needs to keep its mandate and share Jesus.
They are caught in the middle of the troubles.
But who is to blame?
Israel always has to be 1 step ahead of terror.
If it isn't then people die.
That is the simple fact.
It is easy to Criticize but there is a need for security.
Many Palestinians daily come out of the Palestinian Authority including the Christian community and have an opportunity to work in Israel, In fact they get the best of Both worlds.
They get the Israeli wage but don't pay the Israeli rents.
They get to pay the Palestinian rent which is much cheaper.
They queue up at the checkpoint to get into Jerusalem, Some days it is quick, some days it is slow, Sometimes it can be a real pain if it is slow and makes them late, But the security keeps them safe.
I don't like the wall, I remember a time when it wasn't there, I was taken into Bethlehem by Jewish friends in the 90's, Jews could go in and Palestinians could go out.
But now everything has changed.
I have been on an Arab bus, wanting to get home and feeling very tired when the soldiers pull the bus over and want to check our Id's
It's a pain, Its annoying but it is security.
People want to kill others, that is the basic fact.
Those security checks keep Israelis safe and they keep Palestinians safe.
A suicide bomber going into a Cafe, he doesn't check someones ID before they blow themselves up, They just do it and whoever is in the Location is killed or injured, whether it is Israeli Or Palestinian. Muslim Christian or Jew.
Security is important, We see that at the airport.
We moan and complain when we have to line up, we get annoyed when they take the bottle of water off us or we leave a tube of toothpaste in our hand luggage and it is more than 100ml. But that is life under security.
When September the 11th 2001 happened when Islamic terrorists flew planes into the World trade centre and the pentagon, Everything changed. Things became stricter, It wasn't my fault but I felt the reverberations of it.
In 2000 the second intifada happened.
I remember very well the Park Hotel being bombed on Passover night in Netanya, 30 people were killed and 140 people were injured, Of course security had to be tighter.
Every time Terrorists try something new then Israel has had to adapt. Car rammings occurred next to bus stops so Israel has to adapt, now we have bollards around the bus stop to protect innocent civilians.
Of course the main question is what is more important: security or freedom.
Israel could take down the wall tomorrow and give Palestinians freedom to come into Israel but what would the outcome be?
Would we see more October the 7th Terror attacks taking place?
And who would suffer afterwards?
It is easy to criticize when you don't live in the reality of what is going on every day. And sadly innocent people like the Palestinian christian community suffer.
Bethlehem has suffered greatly since October the 7th 2023, because of its reliance on tourism
Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem over the years have decided to leave the country because Life is tough, I know many who have left. But sadly as the Christian community of cities like Bethlehem decline Islam becomes stronger and stronger.
Everyone suffers when terror takes place but at that moment when you know you are going to suffer, Then there is a tremendous opportunity, it is the opportunity to be Salt and Light in our community.
Matthew 5 v 13 – 16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let us remember when the world fires its worst then it is a time for the Palestinian Christian community to shine. When Terror reigns then the Palestinian church can have a heart of compassion for those in pain. And those who are suffering on both sides of the divide.
It's a chance for Jesus to really shine and the Palestinian Christian community to be Salt and Light.
Whatever the Palestinian Church goes through it needs balanced eyes to see the other in honest light and it needs to be salt and light. It needs to keep its mandate and share Jesus.
Life isn't always easy for the Christian community living in Bethlehem.
They are caught in the middle of the troubles.
But who is to blame?
Israel always has to be 1 step ahead of terror.
If it isn't then people die.
That is the simple fact.
It is easy to Criticize but there is a need for security.
Many Palestinians daily come out of the Palestinian Authority including the Christian community and have an opportunity to work in Israel, In fact they get the best of Both worlds.
They get the Israeli wage but don't pay the Israeli rents.
They get to pay the Palestinian rent which is much cheaper.
They queue up at the checkpoint to get into Jerusalem, Some days it is quick, some days it is slow, Sometimes it can be a real pain if it is slow and makes them late, But the security keeps them safe.
I don't like the wall, I remember a time when it wasn't there, I was taken into Bethlehem by Jewish friends in the 90's, Jews could go in and Palestinians could go out.
But now everything has changed.
I have been on an Arab bus, wanting to get home and feeling very tired when the soldiers pull the bus over and want to check our Id's
It's a pain, Its annoying but it is security.
People want to kill others, that is the basic fact.
Those security checks keep Israelis safe and they keep Palestinians safe.
A suicide bomber going into a Cafe, he doesn't check someones ID before they blow themselves up, They just do it and whoever is in the Location is killed or injured, whether it is Israeli Or Palestinian. Muslim Christian or Jew.
Security is important, We see that at the airport.
We moan and complain when we have to line up, we get annoyed when they take the bottle of water off us or we leave a tube of toothpaste in our hand luggage and it is more than 100ml. But that is life under security.
When September the 11th 2001 happened when Islamic terrorists flew planes into the World trade centre and the pentagon, Everything changed. Things became stricter, It wasn't my fault but I felt the reverberations of it.
In 2000 the second intifada happened.
I remember very well the Park Hotel being bombed on Passover night in Netanya, 30 people were killed and 140 people were injured, Of course security had to be tighter.
Every time Terrorists try something new then Israel has had to adapt. Car rammings occurred next to bus stops so Israel has to adapt, now we have bollards around the bus stop to protect innocent civilians.
Of course the main question is what is more important: security or freedom.
Israel could take down the wall tomorrow and give Palestinians freedom to come into Israel but what would the outcome be?
Would we see more October the 7th Terror attacks taking place?
And who would suffer afterwards?
It is easy to criticize when you don't live in the reality of what is going on every day. And sadly innocent people like the Palestinian christian community suffer.
Bethlehem has suffered greatly since October the 7th 2023, because of its reliance on tourism
Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem over the years have decided to leave the country because Life is tough, I know many who have left. But sadly as the Christian community of cities like Bethlehem decline Islam becomes stronger and stronger.
Everyone suffers when terror takes place but at that moment when you know you are going to suffer, Then there is a tremendous opportunity, it is the opportunity to be Salt and Light in our community.
Matthew 5 v 13 – 16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let us remember when the world fires its worst then it is a time for the Palestinian Christian community to shine. When Terror reigns then the Palestinian church can have a heart of compassion for those in pain. And those who are suffering on both sides of the divide.
It's a chance for Jesus to really shine and the Palestinian Christian community to be Salt and Light.
Whatever the Palestinian Church goes through it needs balanced eyes to see the other in honest light and it needs to be salt and light. It needs to keep its mandate and share Jesus.
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