· The escalation of the armed conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip may consequence in a tiny Christian number disappearing from these areas.
· The Israeli authorities officially denounce attacks on spiritual minorities, but their actions are not truly working.
· The demands of the UN General Assembly are not understood by the Israeli authorities.
On December 16, 2 people died from the Israeli sniper's bullets – parent and daughter leaving the only Catholic church in Gaza. Both women belonged to the local Christian community and actively participated in the life of the parish. There were besides Christian families in the church, who had been sheltered from ongoing fighting. According to witnesses, “soldiers shot in cold blood”[1]. Despite the call of the patriarch of Jerusalem, attacks continued. Initially, Israel's military, justifying the attack, argued that it had received information that "there were rocket launchers in the parish"[2]. On December 17, Israel defence Forces (IDF) denied claims that they were targeted by a Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip[3]. Furthermore, it was stressed that the IDF "does not mark civilians, regardless of their religion"[4]. In a further statement, dated December 19, the IDF published a preliminary fire exchange study with Hamas from the church area, which again stated that the Israeli army was not liable for the deaths of 2 women. The study explains that there was a fire exchange between IDF and Hamas in the designated area: “Hamas terrorists fired a rocket grenade towards IDF soldiers from around the church”. As highlighted, IDF soldiers identified 3 people close who acted as Hamas' “watchers” and “directed them with attacks”, and “shot at the observers by hitting them”[5].
More and more sacrifices among Christians in Gaza
The December 16 event was 1 of many victims of Christians surviving in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the public was informed that the rocket of the Israeli army struck the monastery of Sister Missionaries of Love in Gaza. The building was badly damaged. According to the information available, “54 people with disabilities were taken care of at the monastery in the parish area”[6]. On October 19, the Israeli army bombed the church of St. Porfirius in Gaza, which protected about 50 believers. respective people died from the attack.[7].
There are more and more acts of force by the Israeli army against Christians, even though clergymen reported the Holy household Church in Gaza as a place of prayer and refuge for civilians at the very beginning of the war. presently there are more than 600 refugees in the parish, including children and aged people who have found shelter there[8]. From the available data, as of 7 October, more than 50 families lost their lives. In an interview with “L’Osservatore Romano” Fr. Francesco Patton, curator of the Holy Land, he stated that the situation of Christians has always been difficult, but with the outbreak of the war “the location of Palestinian Christians becomes highly difficult” and fears that they will vanish completely from the Gaza Strip.[9].
War on Terrorists and Christians Suffer
The situation of Christians is hard not only in the Gaza Strip but besides in Israel itself. Christians present in the Holy Land are a vast minority. There are about 2% in Israel and about 1.5% in the West Bank. due to attacks and discrimination, not only by orthodox Jews but besides by Israeli soldiers, Christians decide to leave Israel. The spiral of force has intensified peculiarly since the beginning of 2023. For example, in January 2023 2 judaic teenagers were arrested for destroying graves in a Protestant cemetery on Mount Zion. Both Armenian community buildings in Jerusalem and Armenian restaurants are devastated. Jews besides destruct Christ’s figures, attack Catholic priests and nuns[10]. In the mediate of the year, the number of incidents was so large that in July the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs intervened on attacks against pilgrims and members of the monastery of Polish Elizabethan sisters in Jerusalem[11]. In 1 of the interviews given in July for “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa stated that although judaic aggression against Christians is nothing new, a kind of novum is the frequency with which attacks occur.[12]. The escalation of aggression was besides seen by the committee of bishops "Iustitia et Pax", which issued a peculiar message on 28 July 2023. The paper stresses that behaviour specified as "pluting, insults, physical violence, vandalism and graffiti are mainly committed by judaic extremist youth", and that state authorities proceed to let these "signs of contempt"[13].
The position of the Israeli authorities
Israeli authorities officially condemn any attacks on spiritual minorities[14]. Aggressive behaviour towards Christians was condemned by the chief rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo Amar, who, in a message of June 2023, stated that “such conduct is strictly prohibited” due to the fact that it is contrary to judaic law[15]. In the same speech spoke the deputy mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who stressed that city authorities were taking action as shortly as they received complaints about harassment of Christians[16]. Recently, a peculiar investigation group was besides announced in Jerusalem[17]. However, according to representatives of the Christian minority, in most cases the police do not respond adequately to the situation and vandals have "quiet" approval from the ruling[18]. The leaders of spiritual minorities in this context point out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not announce a policy of “zero tolerance” against attacks by ultraorthodox Jews in October 2023.[19]. It can besides be confirmed that Netanyahu and his cabinet are called “the most spiritual and right-wing government in Israel’s history” which, in the opinion of commentators, can “folk” radicals[20]. In the opinion of the politicians, in particular, the individual of Itamar Ben-Gevir from the “Jewish Force” deserves attention, who does not hide his dislike of Christians[21]. In his law practice he was celebrated for defending judaic radicals accused of acts of hatred[22]. Activists, including Elisha Yered, extremist and erstwhile spokesperson for the utmost right-wing parliamentarian Limor boy Har-Melecha, are part of this scheme.[23]. In fresh months, Yared has been celebrated for his controversial entry on the platform “X” in which he stated that “(...) spitting close priests or churches is an ancient judaic custom”[24]. The anti - Christian attitude is besides evident in expanding restrictions on Christians in the Gaza Strip to enter Bethlehem and Jerusalem[25].
Summary
In 1 of the last speeches for RMF FM radio, Rabbi Shalom Dow Ber Stambler president Chabad-Lubacz, convinced Polish listeners that “there is no more humanist military and more humanist politics than Israeli”[26]. Last year's events seem to contradict these claims. The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates to specified an degree that outsiders are killed. This is besides seen by the global community. As early as October this year, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had warned that Israel was violating global law in the Gaza Strip. In response, Israeli authorities revoked visas for UN officials[27]. On 12 December, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/ES-10/L.27)[28], in which the Israeli authorities were called upon to "immediately humanitarian ceasefire" and to defend civilians and access to humanitarian aid[29]. In response, the Israeli ambassador called the resolution “hypocritic”[30]. A further 3 resolutions were adopted on 20 December 2023. A full of 23 resolutions were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2023, of which 14 were straight related to Israel. Hillel Neuer, UN Watch's executive director, commented on this, calling this state a ‘farce’ and discrimination. In the conclusion of his statement, Neuer accused the United Nations of bias and violation of the rule of equal treatment of all states in order, as he said, to "make Israel a scapegoat"[31]. The force against Christians was besides condemned by Pope Francis, who stressed that the Israeli attacks in Gaza were aimed at “not terrorists but families, children, sick and disabled people and sisters”[32].
Dr. Kinga Szymanska – Analyst of the Ordo Iuris investigation and Analysis Centre
for: ordoiris.pl
[1]Statement of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem of 16 December 2023, https://x.com/LPJerusalem/status/1736057252086268025?s=20 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[2]Gaza: Israeli army attack in Holy household parish, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2023-12/gasa-atak-military-Israeli-on-teren-parafia-svet-family.html (accessed 22.12.2023)
[3]T. Staff, IDF refutes claim it targeted salts Catholic church in Gaza after 2 women said killed, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-refutes-claim-it-targeted-sole-catholic-church-in-gaza-after-2-women-said-killed/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[4]Ibid.
[5]T. Staff, IDF again denies killing parent and father at Gaza church, cites Hamas fire in area, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-again-denies-killing-mother-and-daughter-at-gaza-church-cites-hamas-fire-in-area/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[6]Statement of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem of 16 December 2023, https://x.com/LPJerusalem/status/1736057252086268025?s=20 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[7]Amnesty International, "It is not safe anywhere in the Gaza Strip". Unlawful Israeli attacks attest to the ruthless disregard of Palestinian lives, https://www.amnesty.org.pl/in-zone-gasy-where-not-safe/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[8] Israel soldiers killed 2 women in a Catholic parish, html (accessed 22.12.2023)
[9]Holy Land Custos: Fear is increasing that Gaza's Christians will disappear, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/interview-with-cutos-of-the-holy-land-fr-francesco-patton-ofm.html (accessed 22.12.2023)
[10]’Desecration of God’s name’. A harsh message by the rabbi of Jerusalem about Christians, html (accessed: 22.12.2023); also: The figure of Christ was destroyed. The Catholic Church powerfully condemns the desecration in Jerusalem, https://polskieradio24.pl/5/1223/Article/3113434, destroyed-figure-chrystus-kosciol-Catholic-ostro-potepi-profanations-in-jerosol (accessed 22.12.2023)
[11]K. Żak, Attack on the Polish Church in Jerusalem. There's an MFA reaction, https://www.rmf24.pl/facts/world/news-atak-in-Polish- Church-in-jerodom-is-reaction-msz,nId,6905924#crp_state=1 (accessed: 22.12.2023); besides recording of deputy minister of abroad affairs Paweł Jabłoński on the platform "X": https://x.com/paweljablonski_/status/1680544572139532289?s=20 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[12]C. Meier, “Kinder spucken Christen an – das muss ihnen jemand beigebracht haben”, https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/aggressionen-gegen-christen-jerusalems-patriarch-pizzaballa-ueber-angriffe-19031104.html (accessed 22.12.2023)
[13]Israel: Bishops call on authorities to take action against violence, html (accessed 22.12.2023)
[14]K. Żak, Attack on the Polish Church in Jerusalem. There's an MFA reaction, https://www.rmf24.pl/facts/world/news-atak-in-Polish- Church-in-jerodom-is-reaction-msz,nId,6905924#crp_state=1 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[15]https://x.com/EmmanuelNahshon/status/1665746865701175296?s=20 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[16] https://x.com/FleurHassanN/status/16657953964339651?s=20 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[17]Jerosolima: 5 people arrested for spitting on Christians, https://pl.aleteia.org/2023/10/05/jerosolma-piece-persons-in-arrested-in- spit-Christian/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[18]M. Official, Is Israel’s far - right government contributing to the attacks on Christians there? html (accessed: 22.12.2023); also: Dramatic deterioration of the situation of Christians in Israel, http://idziemy.pl/politics/dramamatic-depravity-situation-Christian-in-Israel/79332 (accessed 22.12.2023) and C. Korycki, We are not an influx. We are distant great-grandchildren of the apostles, https://weeks.tvp.pl/73197989-no-we're-influent-we're-far-out-great-grandsons-apostolow (accessed 22.12.2023)
[19]Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu vows no tolerance for attacks on pilgrims, https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/10/04/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-vows-no-tolerance-for-attacks-on-Christian-pilgrims/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[20] The Government of Netanyahu approved by Parliament, https://www.gasetarawna.pl/news/world/Articles/8621232, government-netanjahu-approved-by-parliament.html (accessed: 22.12.2023), also: J. Katulski, Israel: The story of Jerusalem as an open city falls under the regulation of the right, https://political criticism.pl/world/Israel-mit-jerzym-as-city-open-falls-under-government-rights/ (accessed: 22.12.2023)
[21]A. Rojkov, Minister of (non)security, https://www.forumdwugodnik.pl/neareast/211002,1,minister-insecurity.read (accessed 22.12.2023); Recording from the judaic Force meeting. Nationalist leader Itamar Ben-Gewir warns his party, https://tvn24.pl/world/izrael-record-from-sit-sit-power-excursion-to-mediov-itamar-ben-gevir-warning-its-partie-6238821 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[22] It is worth noting that, for example, due to the planned presence of Itamar Ben-Gevir. the delegation of the European Union to Israel has cancelled the diplomatic acceptance for Europe Day, https://events.interia.pl/foreign/news-delegation-ue-revocation-day-europy-right-cause-,nId,6764606#utm_source=paste&utm_medium=paste&utm_campaign=chrome and the entry on platform ‘X’: https://x.com/EUinIsrael/status/1655541527165247489?s=20 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[23]Prominent Settler Activist Says Spitting on Christians ‘Ancient judaic Custom, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-03/ty-article/prominent-right-wing-active-says-spitting-on-christians-ancient-jewish-custom/0000018a-f4a1-d12f-afbf-f5f50ab90000 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[24]M. Jaffe-Hoffman, Israel settler, far-right activist: ‘Spitting on Christians is simply a judaic custom’, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-761490 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[25]K. Kratiuk, Thrown Out of Town, To Things (2023) No. 51, p. 26.
[26]M. Rawich, R. Mazurek, Rabbi Shalom Dow Ber Stambler: Braun's action is anti-Semitic and anti-Polish, https://www.rmf24.pl/only-in-rmf24/poranna-talk/news-rabin-szalom-do-ber-stambler-action-brauna-is-anti-Semitic-,nId,7207411#crp_state=1 (accessed 22.12.2023)
[27]M. Official, UN Head: Israel breaks the law. Israel: Guterres should go, https://electoral.pl/7,75399,30338327,chief-onz-Israel-karze-all-palestynkow-izrael-guterres.html (accessed 22.12.2023)
[28] Resolution of the UN General Assembly on Protection of Civilians and Upholding legal and humanitarian bonds (A/ES-10/L.27), https://unwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/E.Res_.pdf (accessed 22.12.2023)
[29]PAP, The UN has adopted a Gaza Resolution, https://www.pap.pl/updates/on-accepted-resolutions-ws-zones-gases (accessed 22.12.2023)
[30] The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, https://all the more important.pl/pepites/collection-general-they-received-resolutions-calling-for-suspension-weapons-in-zone-gases/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[31]UN General Assembly condemns Israel 14 times in 2023, remainder of planet 7, https://unwatch.org/un-general-assembly-condemns-israel-14-times-in-2023-rest-of-world-7/ (accessed 22.12.2023)
[32]Pope: Undefeated civilians are targets of bombing and firing in the Gaza Strip. Even in the Holy household parish, https://wpolitics.pl/kosciol/674872-papiez-defensive-civile-sa-target-in-zone-gase (accessed 22.12.2023)
