Resurrection Amidst Rubble: Palestinian Christians This Easter
This Easter: Remembering the Palestinian Christians
April marks Arab American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Arab Americans’ contributions and to confront stereotypes and prejudices against Arabs. This Easter, I’m particularly mindful of the often-overlooked struggles faced by approximately 185,000 Palestinian Christians living in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Around 140,000 hold Israeli citizenship, 45,000 reside in the West Bank, and about 500 remain in Gaza. In each area, their situation differs markedly: in Israel, they are Christians within a predominantly Muslim Palestinian minority living in a Jewish-majority state; in the West Bank and Gaza, they’re a tiny fraction of a population overwhelmingly Muslim. While it’s sadly common in America—where nearly two mass shootings occur daily—to become numb to the loss of innocent life, we must strive to grasp the scale of suffering occurring in places like Gaza., where tens of thousands have died.
I recently saw the movie October 8th, which served as a reminder of the depravity of what happened on October 7th—the loss of innocent life, the ongoing suffering in Israel, the rise of antisemitism, and the protests against America’s involvement, which seem less like peaceful protests and more like organized hate. We must bring our grief over the loss of all life to the cross, in the hope that there will be resurrection, reconciliation, and renewal.
Historical Context of Palestinian Christians
Holy Week is a good time to identify with Palestinian Christian communities that have existed since the earliest days of Christianity— making them among the oldest continuous Christian populations in the world. Not taking sides but taking time to mourn, grieve, and lament the loss of innocent Jewish and Palestinian lives, as well as humanitarian aid workers, journalists, hostages from around the world and those who died in the service of others. Although Palestinian Christian, they tend to be forgotten by American Christians who have an explicit or implicit Christian Zionist and anti-Arab bias. I didn’t know much about Palestinian Christians, and I suspect my fellow American Christians didn’t either. That is why, when I was in Israel, I spent time with Palestinian Christians, going to Bethlehem Bible College and attending chapel, which was very much like an American Evangelical praise-and-worship service except it was in Arabic.
The Nonviolent Witness Amidst Suffering
Palestinian Christians are largely committed to nonviolence, but they suffer the same as other Palestinians who don’t share their nonviolent belief. Their Christianity and commitment to nonviolence does not shield them from ongoing political conflicts, blockades, and military operations that disproportionately affect their lives and communities.
Palestinian Christians face numerous specific hardships, such as restrictions on movement that often prevent them from accessing important religious sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem during sacred holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Churches are often damaged or destroyed. I am impressed by their resilience, faith, and efforts to maintain hope despite overwhelming hardship. An example is Rama: despite losing her home during recent hostilities, Rama continues to volunteer, supporting displaced families and organizing prayer meetings in makeshift venues to maintain community solidarity.
Churches as Centers of Hope and Aid
Churches and Christian institutions play a crucial role in Gaza, providing essential humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and community support amidst ongoing conflict. Caritas Jerusalem regularly distributes food and medicine, operates medical clinics, and supports children affected by trauma. Christian Mission to Gaza (Hanna Masaad), Health Outreach to the Middle East (H.O.M.E.)Leaders such as Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, founder of Dar al-Kalima University, and Rev. Alex Awad, a respected pastor and advocate for Palestinian rights, Bethlehem Bible College is providing for the Christians and the suffering people in Gaza and the West Bank, helping people with food, medicine and even creating a day school in Gaza city for the children. Dr. Rula Khoury-Mansour, and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, actively advocate for peace, reconciliation, and justice.
Easter as Solidarity with the Suffering
Easter symbolizes profound suffering, and solidarity with the oppressed, the ultimate triumph over injustice, Christ’s resurrection, Through his experience of unjust persecution, Christ shares in the pain of those living amidst conflict and trauma today, offering spiritual comfort and the assurance of God’s presence within suffering.
Easter challenges Christians to not simply observe from afar but to actively empathize, and respond to human suffering and injustice through compassion, empathy, advocacy, generosity, and acts of practical solidarity.
The cross of Christ represents unjust suffering and God’s profound presence amidst human pain. Easter means that pain, even amid violence and despair, can be transformed to hope and renewal.
This Easter, as we recognize Arab American Heritage Month, let us truly see and stand alongside Palestinian Christian communities whose resilience amidst suffering deserves our response, and active support. We can pray intentionally, advocate for justice and peace in tangible ways, generously support organizations providing essential aid, and share stories that humanize those affected. Easter reminds us powerfully that suffering and injustice never have the final say, and that our call as Christians is to actively embody resurrection hope and practical acts of solidarity. The resurrection we celebrate is a powerful reminder that injustice and suffering do not have the final word and that the good news of the gospel is for the living as well as the dead.