Monday, December 30, 2013

Christian Awakening in Israel

Article: Israel's demographics are majority Jews, minority Arab Palestinians. Within that minority, approximately 130,000 are Palestinian Christians, with a distinct identity dating back to the time of Jesus. Since Israel's founding, they have traditionally sided politically with the Arab Muslim population, refusing to serve in the IDF and being hostile to the State of Israel. However, a grassroots effort by some Christian Arabs is reversing this. They are looking around the Middle East and seeing the persecution of Christians all around them--in Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, etc.--and seeing how they are prospering in Israel. The average Israeli Arab Christian has a higher education level than the average Israeli Jew, equal life expectancy, etc. This grassroots group is seeking to join the Knesset (Israeli parliament) and to encourage young Christian Arabs to join the army, Israel's main gateway to employment. Unfortunately, they are receiving threats from Arab Muslims, who call them traitors. But these Israeli Christians respond, "The Jewish State is good for us."

For full article, go here.

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