<strong>The</strong> Vatican & <strong>Jerusalem</strong>annexesTo safeguard the inter-faith unity of the Palestinian people,indispensable to the realization of their national aspirations,local Christian leaders have been urging the Holy See to actwith the greatest sense of justice when dealing with the issueof <strong>Jerusalem</strong>. <strong>The</strong>y warn that the current negotiations betweenthe Vatican and Israel—coupled with the ambiguous stanceadopted by the new Pope, Benedict XVI, towards Islam 18 —may fuel extremism and have a negative impact on relationsbetween Christian and Muslim communities. Even morethan other stakeholders in the Holy City, the Vatican has theresponsibility to make sure that the question of <strong>Jerusalem</strong>, acause which has thus far been able to bring together the effortsof all Palestinians, does not become a source of distrust andmutual misunderstanding.<strong>The</strong> Mosque of Omar, Bethlehem, duringChristmas celebrations. © Steve Sabella18 Cf. his 2006 speech at the German University of Regensburg.92 93
<strong>The</strong> Vatican & <strong>Jerusalem</strong>annexesStatistics related to Palestinian Christian PopulationSource: Al Qass Collings, Rania; Odeh Kassis, Rifat; Raheb, Mitri. “Palestinian Christians in the West Bank. Facts,Figures and Trends”, Diyar Publisher, Second edition, 2012.Table 2: Christian and Arab Population in Israel by District and Sub-District 15Table 1: Estimated Christian Population in Palestine by District, Select Sub-District, and Estimated Percentages of Christian Population perDistrict and Select Sub-Districtof whichof whichChristian PopulationIsraeli Census 1967 3 Estimated 1995 5 Estimated Dec 200631094 9513 According to Diyar field researchers, Taiyba has 4 Muslim families and about 1,300 Christian individuals.14 From Press Release: the Completion of the Census Process in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian 2007 Census, 19 Feb 2009.8TotalPopulation2007 2% ofChristiansLocality / DistrictJordanian CensusEstimated 2007/8 61961 3 4Bethlehem District 15,234 14,406 20,487 22,000 22,440 176,235 12.73Bethlehem City 7,246 6,405 6,799 7,000 7,140 25,266 28.26of which Beit Jala 4,530 4,271 6,343 7,000 7,140 11,758 60.72Beit Sahour 3,458 3,730 7,345 8,000 8,160 12,367 65.98Hebron 168 200 - - - 552,164 -Jericho 1,212 539 535 450 459 42,320 1.08<strong>Jerusalem</strong> 7 10,795 10,813 11,910 8,000 9,260 8 9 363,649 2.55<strong>Jerusalem</strong> City (J1) 10 - - - - 8,000 225,416 3.55of which Ezzariyyah - - - - 550 11 17,606 3.12Qubebeh - - - - 11 11 3,172 0.35Table Ramallah 1: & Estimated Al-Birah District Christian Population 15,371 in Palestine by District, 10,597 Select Sub-District, 12,362 and Estimated 12,500 Percentages 12,750 of Christian Population 279,730 per 4.56District and Ramallah Select Sub-District 8,745 6,966 6,450 6,000 6,120 27,460 22.29Taiyba Ain Arik 260 1,156 86 1,760 328 1,600 400 1,300 500 11 1112 13 1,452 1,567 89.53 31.91Abud Jifna 5,650 716 500 538Christian 1,017 649Population 1,200 1,100 1,224 1,122 2,084 1,716 58.73 65.38TotalNablus (& Rafidiya) Bir Zeit 3,069 1,351 688 1,041 2,158 2,200 700 2,244 714 320,830 4,529 49.55 % ofLocality / DistrictJordanian Census Israeli Census 1967 3 Estimated 1995 5 Estimated Dec 2006 Estimated 2007/8 6 Population 0.22Salfit Taiyba 1,628 1,156 1,760 - 1,600 - 1,300 - Christians1961 3 4359,570 2007 1,452 89.53 0Qalqilya Bethlehem Abud District 15,234 716 14,406 500 20,487 1,017 - 22,000 1,200 - 22,440 1,224 - 176,235 91,217 2,084 58.73 12.73 02 From Population, Housing and Establishment Census 2007: Summary of the Census Final Results in <strong>The</strong> West Bank, Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 2008, except forTubas Nablus (& Rafidiya) Bethlehem City 3,069 7,246 6,405 688 1,041 6,799 - 7,000 700 - 7,140 60 714 11 320,830 50,261 25,266 28.26 0.12 0.22population figure in the Gaza Strip.3 Tulkarim Salfit ofFromwhichSabeelBeitSurveyJalaon Palestinian Christians in4,530the West Bank and Israel, 1,628 4,271 100 2006.6,343 - 7,000 50 - 7,140 16 - 11 157,988 59,570 11,758 60.72 0.0104 Jenin Qalqilya <strong>The</strong> District Jordanian Beit Sahour Census divided the West Bank into; Nablus: 3,458 North with 3,069 1,045 3,730 Christians, <strong>Jerusalem</strong>: 2,789 7,345 Centre - with 42,618, and 2,100 8,000 - Hebron: South with 2,951 8,160 168 - Christians. 256,619 91,217 12,367 65.98 1.15 05 Tubas Hebron Arabic reference: Jenin الكنيسة في الأرض المقدسة) (تاريخ Heyer, 168 Friedrich. History of 123 200 Church in the Holy Land, 537 - 1995.300 - 60 306 - 11 552,164 39,004 50,261 0.78 0.12 -6Tulkarim Jericho For mere statistical purposes, estimates are calculatedZababdeh 1,212 by adding an estimated922 100 539 annual increase of 2%2,252 535 over - the estimated Christian1,800 450 Population for2,5002006, 16 459 11 11 unless stated 157,988 otherwise. 42,320 3,665 68.21 0.01 1.087Jenin <strong>Jerusalem</strong><strong>Jerusalem</strong> here includes J1 and J2 areas (refer to footnote 1).District Kaferqod village 1,045 - 2,789 - 2,100 - 2,951 24 11 256,619 1,143 1.158 <strong>The</strong>re is a 10,795 10,813 11,910 8,000 9,260 8 9 363,649 2.55difference in the estimated number of Arab Christians in <strong>Jerusalem</strong> between Table 1 and Table 2. This difference covers those who live in areas of <strong>Jerusalem</strong> located beyond2.1theDeir Jenin <strong>Jerusalem</strong> Ghazaleh City Village (J1)Armistice Line of 1949 (refer to - 123 - 537 - 300 - 8,000footnote 1).306 8 11 225,416 39,004 895 0.89 0.78 3.559 of <strong>The</strong> which estimate Jalamah Zababdeh Ezzariyyah for the Village - is calculated in relation 922 - to comparisons between 2,252 - the Christian population 1,800 - of <strong>Jerusalem</strong> in 2,500 550 11 17,606 2,060 3,665 68.21 2.43 3.12by Dr. Bernard Birqin Kaferqod Qubebeh Sabella village in reference to the Socio-Economic - Survey conducted by - the Latin Patriarchate - in 1990 and other sources - (O'Mahony (ed.), 63 24 11999). Using Sabella's 5,685 1,143 3,172 natural growth 1.11 0.35 2.1 vs.emigration theory,Gaza Ramallah Strip & Deir Al-Birah Ghazaleh the District Christian Village population in <strong>Jerusalem</strong> 15,371 -was about 68 percent 10,597 2,478 - of its potential population 12,362 2,439 - with the natural growth 12,500 3,000 - in 1990. Assuming 12,750 3,060 8 that 11 the percentage1,416,543 279,730 895 has not 14 changed 0.89 0.22 4.56massively since 1990, the number of the Christian <strong>Jerusalem</strong>ites at end of 2007Total West Jalamah Bank Ramallah and Village Gaza Strip -8,745 6,966 -is estimated at 9,2606,450 or-about 60 percent of 6,000 the-potential population. 6,120 5045,855 42,494 51,563 48,800 51,710 27,460 2,060 22.29 2.4310 J1 refers to the areas of <strong>Jerusalem</strong> annexed by Israel following its occupation of the West Bank in 1967.3,767,126 1.37including the Birqin Arab population in <strong>Jerusalem</strong>11 Ain Arik 260 86Estimates for 2007/2008 were acquired from Diyar field researchers.- 328 - 400 - 500 63 5,685 1,567 31.91 1.1112 Gaza Strip Jifna to the PCBS, the total population of Ain 5,650 Arik - 2,478 538 population in the 2,439 649 Ain Arik Refugee Camp 3,000 1,100 – about a third of the 3,060 1,122 total population 1,416,543 1,716 Ain Arik. 14 65.38 leaves 0.22the Total village West with Bank Bir Zeit a and 1:1 Christian-Muslim Gaza Strip - ratio.including the Arab population in <strong>Jerusalem</strong>45,8551,35142,4942,15851,5632,20048,8002,24451,7104,5293,767,12649.551.37of whichof which2 From Population, Housing and Establishment Census 2007: Summary of the Census Final Results in <strong>The</strong> West Bank, Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 2008, except forpopulation figure in the Gaza Strip.73 From Sabeel Survey on Palestinian Christians in the West Bank and Israel, 2006.4 <strong>The</strong> Jordanian Census divided the West Bank into; Nablus: North with 3,069 Christians, <strong>Jerusalem</strong>: Centre with 42,618, and Hebron: South with 168 Christians.5 Arabic reference: الكنيسة في الأرض المقدسة) (تاريخ Heyer, Friedrich. History of Church in the Holy Land, 1995.6 For mere statistical purposes, estimates are calculated by adding an estimated annual increase of 2% over the estimated Christian Population for 2006, unless stated otherwise.7 <strong>Jerusalem</strong> here includes J1 and J2 areas (refer to footnote 1).8 <strong>The</strong>re is a difference in the estimated number of Arab Christians in <strong>Jerusalem</strong> between Table 1 and Table 2. This difference covers those who live in areas of <strong>Jerusalem</strong> located beyond theArmistice Line of 1949 (refer to footnote 1).9 <strong>The</strong> estimate for the Christian population in <strong>Jerusalem</strong> is calculated in relation to comparisons between the Christian population of <strong>Jerusalem</strong> in 1967 by the Israeli Census and that compiledby Dr. Bernard Sabella in reference to the Socio-Economic Survey conducted by the Latin Patriarchate in 1990 and other sources (O'Mahony (ed.), 1999). Using Sabella's natural growth vs.emigration theory, the Christian population in <strong>Jerusalem</strong> was about 68 percent of its potential population with the natural growth in 1990. Assuming that the percentage has not changedmassively since 1990, the number of the Christian <strong>Jerusalem</strong>ites at end of 2007 is estimated at 9,260 or about 60 percent of the potential population.10 J1 refers to the areas of <strong>Jerusalem</strong> annexed by Israel following its occupation of the West Bank in 1967.11 Estimates for 2007/2008 were acquired from Diyar field researchers.12 According to the PCBS, the total population of Ain Arik includes the Palestinian population in the Ain Arik Refugee Camp – about a third of the total population in Ain Arik. This leavesthe village with a 1:1 Christian-Muslim ratio.13 According to Diyar field researchers, Taiyba has 4 Muslim families and about 1,300 Christian individuals.14 From Press Release: the Completion of the Census Process in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian 2007 Census, 19 Feb 2009.7Population end 2007Table 2: Christian and Arab Population in Israel by District and Sub-District 15(of which) ArabTotalLocality / District Christian PopulationArab PopulationChristian PopulationPopulation# % # %Population#end%2007#<strong>Jerusalem</strong> District (of which) ArabTotalLocality / District 16,100 1.81 Christian 12,700 Population8 1.43 269,900 30.35 Arab Population 889,263Northern District 89,900 7.36 84,700 6.93Christian648,300Population53.06 1,221,929PopulationZefat - -#-%-#10,400%10.46#99,383% #<strong>Jerusalem</strong> District 16,100 1.81 12,700 8 1.43 269,900 30.35 889,263Kinneret - - - - 30,300 30.66 98,833Northern District 89,900 7.36 84,700 6.93 648,300 53.06 1,221,929Golan - - - - 22,300 54.92 40,605Zefat - - - - 10,400 10.46 99,383Yizre'el 36,300 8.3 34,800 7.96 235,000 53.75 437,186Kinneret - - - - 30,300 30.66 98,833Akko 41,900 7.68 40,200 7.36 350,300 64.17 545,922Golan - - - - 22,300 54.92 40,605Haifa District 22,100 2.54 15,500 1.78 208,800 23.97 871,193Yizre'el 36,300 8.3 34,800 7.96 235,000 53.75 437,186of Haifa - - - - 55,500 10.52 527,546Akko 41,900 7.68 40,200 7.36 350,300 64.17 545,922which Hadera - - - - 153,300 44.61 343,647Haifa District 22,100 2.54 15,500 1.78 208,800 23.97 871,193Central District 7,900 0.46 3,900 0.23 141,100 8.15 1,730,521of Haifa - - - - 55,500 10.52 527,546Sharon - - - - 79,800 20.95 380,938ofwhich Hadera - - - - 153,300 44.61 343,647Petah Tiqwa - - - - 29,200 4.94 590,981whichCentral District 7,900 0.46 3,900 0.23 141,100 8.15 1,730,521Ramla - - - - 31,200 11.3 276,185Sharon - - - - 79,800 20.95 380,938Tel Aviv District of9,400 0.77 3,700 0.3 17,700 1.45 1,216,498Petah Tiqwa - - - - 29,200 4.94 590,981Southern District which5,900 0.57 - - 164,200 15.83 1,037,438Ramla - - - - 31,200 11.3 276,185ofBeer Sheva Tel Aviv District - - 9,400 - 0.77 - 3,700 163,2000.3 28.3417,700 575,879which1.45 1,216,498Total Israel Southern District 151,600 2.095,900 120,5000.57 1.66 - 1,450,000 - 20.02 164,200 7,243,634 15.83 1,037,438ofBeer Sheva - - - - 163,200 28.34 575,879whichTable 3: Christian Population Total Israel in Select Countries 151,600 in the 2.09 Middle 120,500 East 161.66 1,450,000 20.02 7,243,634of whichof whichTable 3: Christian Population in Select Countries in the Middle EstimatedChristian TotalEast 16CountryPercentages ofPopulation PopulationChristiansEstimatedEgypt 8.1 million Christian 81,714,000 Total 10%CountryPercentages ofSudan 1,968,950 Population 39, 379,000 Population 5%ChristiansLebanon 1,191,582 3, 971,941 30%Egypt 8.1 million 81,714,000 10%Syria 987,379 19,747,586 5%Sudan 1,968,950 39, 379,000 5%Iraq 846,330 28,211,000 3 %Lebanon 1,191,582 3, 971,941 30%Jordan 185,960 6,198,677 3%Syria 987,379 19,747,586 5%Israel 110,507 6,500,389 1.7%Iraq 846,330 28,211,000 3 %Palestinian Territories 50,000 4,149,173 1.2%Jordan 185,960 6,198,677 3%Total 13,440,708 189,871,766 7.1%Israel 110,507 6,500,389 1.7%Palestinian Territories 50,000 4,149,173 1.2% 17Total 13,440,708 189,871,766 7.1%15 From Statistical Abstract of Israel, Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, 2008.16 From Sabella, Dr. Bernard. Research Paper: Christians in the Middle East: A New Role or Decline? <strong>Jerusalem</strong>, Feb2008.17 <strong>The</strong> findings of15Diyar From research Statistical are slightly Abstract higher of Israel, than that Israeli recorded Central by Bureau Dr. Sabella. of Statistics, Please 2008. refer to Table 1 for more details.16 From Sabella, Dr. Bernard. Research Paper: Christians in the Middle East: A New Role or Decline? <strong>Jerusalem</strong>, Feb2008.17 <strong>The</strong> findings of Diyar research are slightly higher than that recorded by Dr. Sabella. Please refer to Table 1 for more details.
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