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- Syrians take to the streets amid reports of more explosions
Palestinian Christians Voice..Similar to South Africa Kairos document?
Palestinian Christians make up between forty thousand and ninety thousand people of the population in the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian [singlepic id=181 w=320 h=240 float=right] Christians who live in the Palestinian territories consider themselves Palestinians, vote in the Parliament and Presidency elections and have candidates. Not only that they take part in the political movement but they also sacrificed and give for the Palestinian case like any other Palestinian.
Although they are a minority they believe in the Palestinian right to live independently and work for achieving the Palestinian dream of an independent state in many ways. The existence of the Palestinian Christians and their stand with their Muslim brothers through history make them a great example of how an Arab society can work together.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization have always asked for a secular state that respects the beliefs of its citizens but assures that the state and its associations work without any kind of religious effect.
The reason I decided to write about the Palestinian Christians is my interest in the work which many Christian leaders are doing for the sake of the Palestinian case. “A Moment of Truth” document is one interesting example. More than fifteen Christian leaders have written the “A Moment of Truth” document to send a message to the whole world and Christians about the Palestinian suffering under occupation. The document talks about the importance of peace and the occupation of the Palestinian territories while demanding for a support similar to the one which South Africa Kairos document got when it was launched in 1985. The document describes occupation as something which not only causes political problems but also destroys the life of human beings.
Personalities such as Beatitude Patriarch Michel Sabbah, Eminence Archbishop Atallah Hanna, Dr Jamal Khader, Dr Rafiq Khoury and many other respected men and women have signed and supported the document. Most of these personalities act in several ways to strengthen the relation between Palestinian Christians and Muslims. Not only this but they also take part in the Palestinian peaceful resistance against the Israeli occupation. One personality which I respect and admire is Archbishop Atallah Hanna. Mr. Hanna made great achievements in empowering the relation between Muslims and Christians in the Palestinian territories. Archbishop Hanna is respected within the Palestinian Muslims and is famous for his support and participation in the Palestinian political struggle against the Israeli occupation.
The same Christian leaders which I mentioned before work to get support from the Christian churches in the world for the Palestinian demands for freedom and end of Israeli occupation. Their work and actions would bring great benefit for the Palestinian case and the ending of occupation and Israeli policy of apartheid which does not differentiate between a Muslim and a Christian Palestinian. Unfortunately, these leaders are also haunted by the Israeli security forces which in some incidents arrested them for participating in demonstrations against Israel’s policy.
The Palestinian Christians support and loyalty to the Palestinian society and state must remind us of the importance of the loyalty to the state and the nationality before considering any kind of faith. Muslim and Christian Palestinians have paid the price together because of the Israeli occupation of their lands and therefore they must both continue their way until their shared dream is achieved.
