Noël à Bethléem: la croix est bannie des souvenirs !

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Bethlehem (AsiaNews) - This Christmas in Bethlehem, the cross has been banned from souvenirs for tourists and pilgrims in the Holy Land. Some textile workshops in Jerusalem and Hebron have begun to print and sell T-shirts depicting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem without the cross. Because of the growth of Islamic fundamentalism in the Palestinian territories, the cross was also removed from t-shirts of football teams. Interviewed by AsiaNews, Samir Qumsieh, journalist and director of the Catholic television station Al-Mahed Nativity TV in Bethlehem, said: "I want to launch a campaign to urge people not to buy these products - he says - because the removal of the cross is an intimidation against Christians, it is like saying that Jesus was never crucified. "

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"In the Holy Land - said Qumsieh - the emigration of Christians is growing, even if the authorities refuse to give precise numbers. Every day there are people who flee to other countries. As Christians, we live in a constant feeling of fear and uncertainty, and if you live in constant tension and pessimism you can not plan anything.

According to the journalist, "people leave because there is no work and movement is restricted under Israeli control." Other factors are the internal problems of Palestine, such as the clash between Hamas and Fatah, which has repercussions on the economic situation. Qumsieh points out that from 2002 to 2010 the Christian population of Bethlehem has dropped from over 18 thousand to 11 thousand people. In Gaza, after Hamas came to power in 2006, Christians have fallen by about 3,200 units, from 5 thousand to less than 1800 in 2010. Only 15,400 Christians (2% of the population) live in Jerusalem, as reported in a study by the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. They are 50% less than the 31 thousand registered residents in 1948, when Christians accounted for 20% of the population of the city.

The reporter says that if this exodus continues there will be no more Catholics in the Holy Land and that one day the Church of the Nativity could be turned into a museum.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the celebrations for Christmas, the Israeli military has ordered troops deployed in the occupied Palestinian territories to facilitate the passage of Christian pilgrims at checkpoints.

[…]
Bethlehem (AsiaNews) - This Christmas in Bethlehem, the cross has been banned from souvenirs for tourists and pilgrims in the Holy Land. Some textile workshops in Jerusalem and Hebron have begun to print and sell T-shirts depicting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem without the cross. Because of the growth of Islamic fundamentalism in the Palestinian territories, the cross was also removed from t-shirts of football teams. Interviewed by AsiaNews, Samir Qumsieh, journalist and director of the Catholic television station Al-Mahed Nativity TV in Bethlehem, said: "I want to launch a campaign to urge people not to buy these products - he says - because the removal of the cross is an intimidation against Christians, it is like saying that Jesus was never crucified. "


Bethléem (Agence Fides) - Ce Noël à Bethléem, la croix a été interdit de souvenirs pour les touristes et les pèlerins en Terre Sainte. Certains ateliers textiles à Jérusalem et à Hébron ont commencé à imprimer et vendre des T-shirts représentant l'Eglise de la Nativité à Bethléem, sans la croix. En raison de la croissance du fondamentalisme islamique dans les territoires palestiniens, la croix a également été retiré de t-shirts des équipes de football. Interviewé par AsiaNews, Samir Qumsieh, journaliste et directeur de la Catholic chaîne de télévision Al-Mahed TV Nativité à Bethléem, a déclaré: "Je veux lancer une campagne pour inciter les gens à ne pas acheter ces produits - dit-il - parce que la suppression de la croix est une intimidation contre les chrétiens, c'est comme dire que Jésus n'a jamais été crucifié. "

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"In the Holy Land - said Qumsieh - the emigration of Christians is growing, even if the authorities refuse to give precise numbers. Every day there are people who flee to other countries. As Christians, we live in a constant feeling of fear and uncertainty, and if you live in constant tension and pessimism you can not plan anything.

«En Terre Sainte - a dit Qumsieh - l'émigration des chrétiens est de plus en plus, même si les autorités refusent de donner des chiffres précis Tous les jours il ya des gens qui fuient vers d'autres pays tant que chrétiens, nous vivons dans un sentiment permanent de peur et d'incertitude.. , et si vous vivez dans une tension constante et le pessimisme vous ne pouvez pas planifier quoi que ce soit.

According to the journalist, "people leave because there is no work and movement is restricted under Israeli control." Other factors are the internal problems of Palestine, such as the clash between Hamas and Fatah, which has repercussions on the economic situation. Qumsieh points out that from 2002 to 2010 the Christian population of Bethlehem has dropped from over 18 thousand to 11 thousand people. In Gaza, after Hamas came to power in 2006, Christians have fallen by about 3,200 units, from 5 thousand to less than 1800 in 2010. Only 15,400 Christians (2% of the population) live in Jerusalem, as reported in a study by the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. They are 50% less than the 31 thousand registered residents in 1948, when Christians accounted for 20% of the population of the city.



Selon le journaliste, «les gens partent parce qu'il n'ya pas de travail et de mouvement est restreinte sous contrôle israélien." D'autres facteurs sont les problèmes internes de la Palestine, comme l'affrontement entre le Hamas et le Fatah, qui a des répercussions sur la situation économique. Qumsieh souligne que de 2002 à 2010 la population chrétienne de Bethléem a chuté de plus de 18 mille à 11 mille personnes. A Gaza, le Hamas après l'arrivée au pouvoir en 2006, les chrétiens ont diminué d'environ 3.200 unités, à partir de 5 000 à moins de 1800 à 2010. Seuls 15.400 chrétiens (2% de la population) vivent à Jérusalem, tel que rapporté dans une étude réalisée par l'Institut de Jérusalem pour les études israéliennes. Ils sont 50% moins que les 31 000 résidents inscrits en 1948, lorsque les chrétiens représentaient 20% de la population de la ville.

The reporter says that if this exodus continues there will be no more Catholics in the Holy Land and that one day the Church of the Nativity could be turned into a museum.

Le journaliste dit que si cet exode continue il n'y aura pas plus de catholiques en Terre Sainte et que un jour l'Eglise de la Nativité pourrait être transformé en musée.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the celebrations for Christmas, the Israeli military has ordered troops deployed in the occupied Palestinian territories to facilitate the passage of Christian pilgrims at checkpoints.

Pendant ce temps, à l'occasion de la célébration de Noël, l'armée israélienne a ordonné aux troupes déployées dans les territoires palestiniens occupés afin de faciliter le passage des pèlerins chrétiens aux postes de contrôle.

gabrielle a écrit:

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The reporter says that if this exodus continues there will be no more Catholics in the Holy Land and that one day the Church of the Nativity could be turned into a museum.

Le journaliste dit que si cet exode continue il n'y aura pas plus de catholiques en Terre Sainte et que un jour l'Eglise de la Nativité pourrait être transformé en musée.

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Ô Dieu, des nations sont venues dans votre héritage, elles ont souillé votre saint temple; elles ont fait de Jérusalem une cabane à garder les fruits.

(Ps. LXXIII, 1. Glaire.)