Page 14 - TORCH Magazine Issue#5

ISRAEL: THE SAFEST PLACE FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
As Christian persecution sweeps across the Middle East, one country stands out as a beacon of hope where Christians are safe to live and are thriving – Israel.
With freedom to believe and full democratic rights, Israel provides Christians with a haven in a region that is becoming increasingly di cult for Christians to live freely.
Christians and other minorities in
Israel prosper and grow, while in other countries in the Middle East, as well as
in the Palestinian Territories, they su er heavily from the Islamic movement and persecution – until forced to disappear. Earlier this year The World Watch List, published by Open Doors, listed 50 countries worldwide where Christians experience the most persecution. Of the 50 countries listed, Iraq, Syria and Iran were placed in the top 10 with Iraq being second overall behind North Korea. A further eight
places that surround Israel were listed in the top 50, all of which surround the only Jewish State. However, the only Jewish State is not on the list.
Meanwhile, Christian persecution is on the rise in the Palestinian Territories, which is ranked as the 24th most di cult place to live as a Christian. Citing Islamic extremism as the main source of the persecution, Christians now make up less than 1% of the population and decreasing.
Israel supports and gives Christians and other minorities – Druse, Muslims, Baha’i, everyone – full civil rights, freedom and legal rights to exist peacefully and practice their faith as they wish.
Contrary to propaganda, there is no “apartheid” of any kind in Israel, and no roads on which only Jews may travel, unlike in Saudi Arabia, for example, which has real apartheid roads, since only Muslims may travel to Mecca.
14 CUFI.ORG.UK