The Parish Magazine December 2023

PARISH NOTICEBOARD — 4
More than ever your
prayers are needed
for the Holy Land
On 7 October, in a moment US President Joe Biden
described as ‘pure unadulterated evil’, the Iranian-backed
terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel,
murdering at least 1,400 people of all ages in the most brutal
of ways, injuring thousands more and taking more than 200
hostages.
Horrified by the news of the terrorists’ butchery as it has
emerged, I find myself woefully unqualified to comment
in any expert way on the geopolitical complexities of the
situation and the after effects. This monthly column is where
we examine cases of Christian persecution around the world,
and so we will take a look further on in this article at the
impact on the Christian community of the Hamas massacre
and Israel’s defence, with insights gleaned from advocacy
agency Open Doors and from The Philos Project, a non-profit
organisation who describe themselves as a ‘Christian network
promoting positive engagement in the Near East’.
CEASEFIRE CALL
At the time of writing, some are calling for a ceasefire
in the Hamas-Israel war. Charles Moore in The Telegraph
of 1 November said that a ceasefire would mean a massive
advantage to Hamas, effectively removing from Israel its right
of self-defence. The Philos Project say that while they ‘mourn
the tragic loss of Palestinian lives, a ceasefire will not bring
peace.’
They describe Hamas as ‘an existential threat to Israel
and Palestinian lives.’ Former US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton said, ‘People who are calling for a ceasefire now do not
understand Hamas.’
She explained, ‘it would be such a gift to Hamas because
they would spend whatever time there was during a ceasefire
to rebuild their armaments and create stronger positions to be
able to fend off an eventual assault by the Israelis.’
HAMAS OBJECTIVE
Hamas’ objective is the creation of a Sharia caliphate,
rejecting a negotiated peace or two-state solution, with the
killing of Jews a prerequisite to the Day of Judgement.
Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a founder of Hamas and
author of the book Son of Hamas said in a CNN TV interview
broadcast some time ago and shown on Instagram recently
‘The destruction of the State of Israel is not Hamas’ final
destination… Hamas’ final destination is building an Islamic
State on the rubble of every other civilization.’
The Philos Action League (PAL) is a network of Christians
across the world committed to ‘showing up for their local
Jewish community in the face of anti-semitism’. Since the 7
October attacks on Israel, anti-semitism has increased 1,200%
according to PAL. 26 October was designated as a special day
for them to show support, with Christians going to Jewish
communities in 150 cities in the world to show their support.
The Parish Magazine - December 2023 13
THE persecuted church by colin bailey
Israeli civilians in Tel Aviv gathered in solidarity for a ceasefire between
Israel and Gaza.
Engin Korkmaz, dreamstime.com
In Gaza there is a diminishing Christian minority — less
than 1% of the 2.2 million population. Since Hamas came to
power in 2007, the Christian population has reduced from
3,000 to roughly 1,000.
The Christians have suffered persecution under Hamas.
For example, after Hamas came to power, the last Christian
bookshop in Gaza was firebombed. Its Christian owner, Rami
Ayyad, was kidnapped and murdered by jihadis. Christians
now are heavily affected by the Hamas-Israel war.
Christianity was brought to the Gaza region in the early
15th century AD by St Porphyrius who became Bishop of
Gaza. In 723 AD St Willibald described visiting Gaza and
seeing Christians and Muslims worshipping side-by-side in
peace.
During the Crusades, Gaza became a ‘haven’ for Christian
and Muslim worshippers. Fast forwarding to the present time,
the author and war correspondent Janine di Giovanni says in
her 2021 book The Vanishing: the Twilight of Christianity in the
Middle East that ‘the purging of the Christian community [in
Gaza] is part of a broader vanishing of Christians from the
Middle East.’
As elsewhere, Christians in Gaza are targeted for their
faith. They are made to feel second class citizens under
Hamas. In the delicate political environment, Christians
may choose to avoid openly critiquing Hamas to ensure their
safety.
The Philos Project say that Christians in Gaza do not
openly sympathise with sentiments of Zionism expressed by
Christian communities in the West.
TURN TO PAGE 15