Christians in Israel: Thriving, beleaguered at the same time
The Media Line Staff
Jerusalem, Israel David Rosenberg / The Med – Economically, the Holy Land’s tiny Christian minority is thriving as its moves into the holiday season this year. But, except for a one-time boost from a wave of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, their numbers are barely growing and they face petty discrimination in the streets and from the government.
In the birthplace of Jesus, their numbers are shrinking. Israel counts just 154,500 Christians at the end of 2011, or just 2 percent of the population, the government’s Central Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday. Most of them are concentrated in the Galilee, but even there they are outnumbered by Muslims. In Nazareth, they number 22,200 out of a population of about 73,000 and in Jerusalem they make up just 11,600 of the city’s nearly 800,000 people.
The vast majority of Christians in Israel are Arabs or Palestinians, which puts them into an awkward position in the region’s complicated dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although they are accorded equal rights, Israel increasingly sees itself as a Jewish state as well as a democracy while Palestinian nationalism, once officially secular, has grown increasingly Islamist.
The Christians themselves are a diverse population of Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Copts, Episcopalians, Ethiopian Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Lutherans, Maronites, Roman Catholics and Syrian Orthodox. Only a minority will be marking Christmas on Dec. 25, with the others marking the holiday in the next weeks.
Although the number of Christians in Israel grew in the 1990s as Russian Christians joined their Jewish relatives in immigrating to Israel, among the Christian population their birthrate of 2.1 children per woman in 2011 was barely at the replacement level. Among Muslims, the rate is 3.8 and among Jews 3.0.
But Christians are in some ways better off economically than Israel’s majority-Jewish population. They do better in the national matriculation exams, with some 62 percent of them passing them in 2010 compared with 58 percent of the Jewish population and 46 percent of the Muslims. Their unemployment rate, at 4.9 percent, is lower than for the general population.
Christian have been subjected to being spit upon in the streets of Jerusalem by ultra-Orthodox Jews, who have strong memories of persecution by Christians in Europe over the centuries. Christians complain that Israel’s Interior Ministry, which has been controlled for many years by the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, makes it difficult for them to get citizenship papers, visa and other vital documents.
Last August, the ministry refused to renew the residency permit of the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem on accusations of forgery, which the Bishop denied. Then neither did it press charges against the bishop, who remained in Jerusalem
Nearly a decade ago, Muslims fought a bitter battle with their Christian neighbors in Nazareth for the right to build a mosque beside the Basilica of the Annunciation, a conflict that drew the interest of the Vatican, the White House, and an international coalition of Catholic and Protestant Christian church groups.
But these incidents, said Ron Kronish, director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel, do not reflect the general state of inter-communal relations. On the whole, relations with the Jewish majority are “relatively good,” said Kronish, whose ICCI serves as an umbrella group of Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations promoting mutual understanding.
“The tensions are not over religion, they are over nationalism,” Kronish told The Media Line. “That doesn’t means there is a lot of love and understanding. But if you wanted to compare that to anti-Muslin sentiment by Jews, there is no comparison. Jews don’t think Christians are involved in the conflict. When they think Palestinians, they think Muslims.”
In Palestinian-ruled areas, their situation is arguably worse and their numbers are shrinking. Approximately 98 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are Sunni Muslims. Although the ruling Palestinian Authority take no official census by religion, a 2008 demographic survey conducted by local Christian groups estimated there were about 50,000 Christians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and between 1,000 and 3,000 in Gaza.
A U.S. State Department report on religious freedom, released last September, cites Christian leaders as saying that Palestinian Christian emigration has accelerated since 2001, about the time that the second Intifada broke out. That, together with lower birth rates, has reduced their numbers.
Anthony Habash, regional director for the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, attributed the emigration to economic factors stemming from Israel’s control over the West Bank and Gaza and he said the outflow had gradually slowed.
In particular, he points to the separation barrier Israel has been constructing on or close to the lines separating pre-1967 Israel from the West Bank as well as the network of roadblocks across the West Bank, which are designed to prevent terrorist attacks but have the effect of limiting Palestinian movement.
“Many young people are seeking to find jobs abroad in Dubai or North America,” Habash told The Media Line. “They also are looking for study opportunities. After the building of the wall, for many young people it became easier to study abroad in Jordan or elsewhere. Then they decide to stay outside Palestine.”
The Israeli army announced on Monday that special measures to ease the movement of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from now until Jan. 20 to allow for seasonal celebrations.
Habash’s organization is helping to stem the tide of emigration by helping Palestinian Christians find jobs, assist them in renovating their homes and proving educational scholarships. In the West Bank town of Bethlehem, where the Christian population has shrunk to 7,500 from 20,000 in 1995, the foundation is working with the local telecommunications company, Paltel, to build a call center that will employ 100 people.
Asked about the impact of growing Islamic piety on the Christian exodus, Habash said it is a factor in the Gaza Strip, where the Islamist group Hamas is in power, but not a serious one in the West Bank, where the pro-Western Fatah organization rule.
“An advantage for Christians is that they are raised in an Islamic society,” he said. “They share the same value, culture and heritage. There is much between Muslim-Christian understanding.”
- Kraft Foods Initiating Arbitration To Prevent Starbucks From Ending Partnership
- Former bonded laborers left high and dry in Nepal
- U.S. To Monitor Venezuela’s Relations With Nuclear Nations
- US bankers warn loans are not being met
- Citi to raise CEO Pandit’s compensation next year
- Fiscal rehab tops agenda for Asian, European chiefs
- Appraisal Business Insider
- Millions of Israeli Mobile Customers Without Service Following Cellcom Network Crash
- Wall Street Pulls Back As Troubled Bank’s Downgrade Weakens Financial Stocks
- Loans for the self employed: Feasible way of getting funds without faxing
Comments
1,637 Responses to “Loans for the self employed: Feasible way of getting funds without faxing”
Leave a Reply
Hi, I’m self employed with excellent pay history on all my credit cards. I recently purchased a house with a 5.5 interest rate and I have 2 years soon to be three of tax returns. I currently own both of my vehicles outright and I’m interested in purchasing a used suv. I don’t need own that bad but I though it would be nice to get something a little newer if the terms were right. Again I’m not desperate and I don’t want a high interest rate but I plan to do a lot of traveling this summer and I though it would be nice to get a Hummer h3 for me a and my family to travel around the country in. I’m looking in the 19,000 to 23,000 dollar range. My taxes show an average in the low to mid thirty’s for the past 3 years. Being self employed I right most everything off. My business will show through 1099′s for this past year about $120,000 on the books before right off. We are a labor only business that has no material expenses and me and my fiancee do all the work so that’s all profit before I write everything off. I’m incorporated and I’m a licensed flooring contractor in the cities I do business. I found your information online and I was wondering if you had any programs that could work for me ? Please feel free to email or call me. My home phone is 239-267-6676 or my cell is 239-770-3067.
Shalane Doucette
We give out loan to interested individuals who are seeking loan with good faith.Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan? then you are at the right place. We give out business loan,personal loan, contact us for your loan request to meet your demand and set out from finiancial problem
Mr. George Morina.
Mobile:447024060532
Georgemorina@oath.com
Great site! Was really looking for a great alternative to pay day loan places until I found this – http://funwithinsomnia.com/blog/100dayloans.HTML Check it out, well worthwhile. 100 days to pay it off, online application, etc. It’s slick.
asfasdfasdfasdfsdf
Eat all the right foods, certain foods help you look and feel better. All your mood swings for instance, that would be due to food. What you put into your body is what is turns itself into. Drink plents of water!
Man I like your post and it was so good and I am definetly going to save it. I Have to say the Superb analysis this article has is trully remarkable.No one goes that extra mile these days? Well Done. Just one more suggestion you caninstall a Translator for your Worldwide Readers …
Marketing with articles for you to article banks is usually a great way to gain fame. I know that publishing will be lifeless, articles is definitely well worth the occasion for you to invest publishing.
What host do you think you’re utilizing? Your site masses particularly little by little for me.
Proceed to make that,it is going to certainly make you feel improved,when i do not value some other lenders heads My partner and i publish excellent products!and also remember that..while somebody occurs and also notify you in which he/she adored the publication you may come to feel including “God”!plus,which has feelings for you if someone previously wrote a book having the identical concern,you happen to be a wholly diverse individual and i’m certain that which usually you’re just about to create will be specific!excellent fortune!
Hi I love this comment and it was so good and I am gonna bookmark it. One thing to say the Superb analysis you have done is trully remarkable.No one goes that extra mile these days? Bravo.. Just one more suggestion you shouldget a Translator for your Worldwide Readers !!
very informative post. Looking more to something like this
Hey we appreciate you bringing up-to-date your own site, and finally I will posting some sort of remark!! I frequently examine a person’s items as well as wanted to show you that it is spectacular.
Hey, really enjoyed this post! Shed light on a few things I didn’t understand. Thank you.
Man I like this comment and it is so good and I am definetly going to save it. I Have to say the Superb analysis you have done is trully remarkable.Who goes that extra mile these days? Bravo!! Just another tip you canget a Translator Application for your Worldwide Readers !
I’m Glad i came across this site.Added telimtex.com to my bookmark!
Quite a beautiful website. I built mine and i was looking for some ideas and your website gave me some. Did you develop the website alone?
Thanks
Good day! Many thanks for a pleasant web-site! We ran across the internet site by way of fortune plus assume this seems fantastic! Just how long achieved it decide on develop the idea?
It’s unusual for me to discover something on the web that is as entertaining and fascinating as what you have got here. Your page is sweet, your graphics are outstanding, and what’s more, you use reference that are relevant to what you are saying. You are certainly one in a million, good job! Wishing you Happy New Year 2011!
I totally love Justin Bieber. JB is so amazing. He’s one of my favorite performers ever and he’s totally cute also. What do you think is going on with him and Kim Kardashian? Are they simply buddies or is it something more? She’s so much older than he is.!
I love your question. I think if Superman had more time under his belt it would be a draw. L Ron Hubbard started HIS own religion and that seems to be taking off!!!
Great blog, I wanted to add that i tried and i can’t connect to your rss reader, you should install certain wordpress plugin for that to workthat.
I think if it looked less like a cigarette it would be easier to use it in public places where smoking is prohibited … if I felt comfortable using it in those places I would use it more often and remove the need to leave buildings for a smoke
Aw, this was a genuinely quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a really good blog post… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
*After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Not agree on several issues but the whole thing, and so impressive. Successful year!
An astonishing post, I just given this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he in fact bought me dinner because I discovered it for him. smile.. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnx for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is extremely helpful for me. Big thumb up for this share!
After read a couple of the posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I added it to my favorites web site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site too and let me know your opinion.
You are not the common blog writer, man. You certainly have something powerful to contribute to the net. Such a good blog. I will revisit again for more.
You’re not the general blog author, man. You surely have something important to contribute to the web. Such a special blog. I will come back again for more.
Can I make a suggestion? I consider youve got one thing fine here. But what in the event you additional a couple links to a web page that backs up what youre expressing? Or possibly you can give us anything to look at, one thing that would connect what youre expressing to something tangible? Just a suggestion.
I’m impressed, I have to say. Really seldom do I discovered a blog that is both educational and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your blog is important; the issue is something that not a lot of people are talking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to it.
Presently it’s good timing to create some plans for the long run and it’s time to take a short rest. I have learn this submit and if I may just I want to suggest you some interesting issues or advice. Maybe you can publish next articles regarding this blogpost. I hope to learn more things of it!
I think other web-site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and magnificent user genial style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!
2. Good article over again! Thumbs up!
Hey there, I just hopped over to your web site thru StumbleUpon. Not somthing I might normally browse, but I appreciated your thoughts none the less. Thank you for making some thing well worth reading through.
I just got out of nap and I’m already reading your articles. This means something! Very useful materials. Thnkx!
It’s rare for me to find something on the net that is as entertaining and intriguing as what you have got here. Your page is lovely, your graphics are great, and what’s more, you use reference that are relevant to what you’re talking about. You are definitely one in a million, good job!
You’re not the average blog author, man. You surely have something powerful to contribute to the net. Such a good blog. I will be back for more.
I’m impressed, I have to say. Really rarely do I discovered a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your article is important; the matter is something that not enough people are talking intelligently about. I’m really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
I am impressed, I have to say. Very rarely do I discover a blog that is both informative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Your article is important; the matter is something that not many people are talking intelligently about. I’m really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
Currently it is the best time to make some plans for the long run and it’s the moment to be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I may just I want to recommend you some fascinating things or advice. Maybe you can publish subsequent material referring to this post. I hope to study even more things of it!
Wow, simply turned into aware of your website thru Google, and located that it is truly educational. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of folks will be benefited out of your writing. Thankx
Hi, this a brilliant blog post buddy. Thankx for sharing! But I am experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. So anybody facing similar rss feed trouble? Anybody who can assist kindly respond. Thnkx
Yo, just became alert to your website through Bing, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you proceed this in future. Numerous other folks will probably be benefited out of your post. Thnx
Man! It’s like you understand my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, just like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is good blog post. A outstanding read. I will definitely be back.
I was so lucky. I found the best website for my In the aftermath of a large amount of analysis, My partner and i found the best Dunk tank Mt Laurel
It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Im thankful for the blog.Much thanks again. Want more.
I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that is both educational and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your blog is outstanding; the issue is something that not many people are talking intelligently about. I’m really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to it.
I’m getting a browser error, is anyone else?
I was so lucky. I found the best website for my In the aftermath of a lot of evaluation, Anyway i found the best Bettes bounce Cherry Hill
You are not the regular blog writer, man. You definitely have something powerful to add to the net. Such a special blog. I’ll return for more.
An amazing article, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact purchased me lunch because I discovered it for him. smile.. So let me rephrase that: Thankx for the treat! But yeah Thnx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and enjoy reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more info? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this post!
What a great website. Well done
Great blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Thanks for taking the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If potential, as you gain experience, would you mind updating your weblog with further data? It is extremely useful for me.
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
Quite a beautiful website. I built mine and i was looking for some design ideas and your website gave me some. Did you develop the website alone?
Good Post!
I haven’t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Pretty good article. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
Great article, but a frustrating read, due to the lack of proper punctuation in a lot of spots. Please close your quotations! If this article is following some sort of nouveau grammatical style, of which I’m not aware, I remain frustrated; however, I apologize.
Hey admin, very informative blog post! Pleasee continue this awesome work..
you may want to download a free article creator software from this link : http://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/Text-editors/Article-Creator.shtml It has a free article creator software which helps you to make unique articles easily.
Really good web blog, it’s clearer to me now what my boyfriend wants me to do!
I just tweeted you, thanks!.
A very usefull post – Thank you very much, I hope you dont mind me blogging about this post on my blog. I will also link back to this post. Keep blogging, you are talented.
Extermely useful post right here. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I’ll certainly be back again.
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article.