Gaza Christians refused permits to visit family in Jerusalem or Bethlehem this Christmas
Source: Fides/MAP
This year, Christians in Gaza will not have permission from the Israeli authorities to cross the border at Erez in order to visit relations and friends in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and other towns in the Holy Land to celebrate Christmas together.
According to Middle East Concern, this year most of the travel permits requested have been refused. Permits have been issued only for persons aged 55 and over (although some of these will remain in Gaza, because they are elderly and cannot travel unaccompanied).
In recent years many requests for permits presented especially by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, were granted. On the occasion of Christmas 2016, more than 600 permits were issued. But last Easter, already permits were issued only to people over 55. This measure that reduced considerably the number of Christians from Gaza able to use the permits issued by the Israeli government.
So while Christian pilgrims from around the world will be visiting the birthplace of Jesus, staying in comfortable hotels - the indigenous Christians of this land, who still pray in the language Jesus spoke - will be forced to stay in their overcrowded homes, suffering power cuts, and water and food shortages. And they will remain separated from their loved ones, who live just a few kilometres away.
See a short video about Gaza's Christian community unable to be with their families at Christmas: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpVmXSqBAh0