The Pew Forum on Religion has published the findings of a major survey of the opinions of Global Evangelical Protestant Leaders.

Significantly, the survey found that only 34% say they sympathize with Israel. A majority say they sympathize either with both sides equally (39%) or with neither side (13%).

Among evangelical leaders from the United States, even fewer sympathize more with Israel (30%) while nearly half (49%) say they sympathize with both sides equally.

Stephen Sizer, July 13, 2011

During a discussion held at a Washington D.C. church some years ago, Rateb Rabie watched in amazement as 200 people discussed how to support his relatives, nearly 6,000 miles away in the West Bank.

Andrew Khouri, Nation and World, March 4, 2011

A Vatican document released Tuesday blamed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the occupying of lands for fomenting most of the conflicts in the Middle East, driving Christians out and making life difficult for those who remain.

The document is a guide for discussions for an Oct. 10-24 meeting of Mideast bishops convened by Pope Benedict XVI to discuss the plight of the Christian minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim region. The exodus of Christians from the region and religious discrimination faced by those who remain are main issues on the table.

AP, Jan 19, 2010

A group of Palestinian Christians representing a variety of churches and church-related organizations have issued an animated and prayerful call for an end to occupation of Palestine by Israel.

The call, issued at a 11 December meeting in Bethlehem, comes at a time when many Palestinians believe they have reached a dead end. It raises questions to the international community, political leaders in the region, and the churches worldwide about their contribution to the Palestinian people's pursuit of freedom. Even in the midst of "our catastrophe" the call is described as a word of faith, hope and love.

www.wfn.org Web site, Dec 12, 2009

A group of Jewish extremists attacked on Sunday afternoon two young Armenians and destroyed a cross near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem’s Old City.

Israeli settlers such as these have attacked for years members of the clergy in the Armenian Quarter. Today the Armenians who were assaulted Sunday are not being protected, but rather expelled.

Jerusalem / Maisa Abu Ghazaleh for PNN

Dr. Salim Munayer is the first recipient of the Christian International Scholarship foundation (CISF) scholar-leader award, for his work as founder and director of Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation based in Jerusalem, and for his service as Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College from 1989-2008.

The Board of Directors of the CISF voted unanimously for Dr. Munayer to be the first recipient of this award.

Special For Come and See, May 8, 2009

The Pope's trip to the Holy Land is in two weeks now, and the Israeli and Jordanian governments have just set up two Internet sites related to the event. Their respective Ministries of Tourism are honouring their guest from the Vatican by going online.

Comparing each site is revealing. Have a look.


by Giorgio Bernardelli, The Holy Land Review, Milan - April 23, 2009

Christians in the bombed-out, Israel-closed Gaza Strip feel abandoned because Pope Benedict XVI of the Vatican will snub their coastal enclave during his upcoming several-day visit to the Holy Lands.

"We are disappointed that he will not visit the Strip and see the scale of destruction with his eyes," Hala Saleeba, 41, a teacher in the Holy Family Christian School in Gaza, told IslamOnline.net.

"The one who sees with eyes is not the same as the one who hears with ears."

Motasem Dalloul, Islam Online, April 21, 2009

Senior Haaretz editir Akiva Eldar interviews Former US president Jimmy Carter - in light of new American President and the Israeli Elections.

"I've known the history of the Jewish people, the Hebrew people, the Israelites, and I've taught these things every Sunday since I was 18 years old. So I'm deeply committed as a Christian to seeing the covenant with Abraham fulfilled," says Carter, noting that peace in the Middle East is also "a key to tremendously reducing the level of animosity against my own country, and reducing the commitment to violence through terrorist acts."

Akiva Eldar, Haaretz, Feb 13, 2009

Benedict XVI's preparations for his trip to the Holy Land are under way, as he himself confirmed today in a meeting with a Jewish delegation from the United States.

The Pope was visited today in the Vatican by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Zenit.org, Feb 12, 2009