“Nablus is controlled through the Palestinian Authority, which fails to protect the Christian network and prevent the disturbing violence that opposes it,” Elias Zarina told TPS.
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Orthodox priests march in front of the Church of the Nativity, where Christians Jesus Christ was born on the eve of Orthodox Christmas, in Bethlehem, in the West Bank. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illéan)
Zarina is the co-founder and leader of the Jerusalem Initiative, a Jerusalem-based nonprofit that promotes the integration of Arab Christians into Israeli society.
The monastery’s keeper, 80-year-old Father Ioustinos of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate was not hurt, but was traumatized by the violence, the news agency reported.
Local leaders said Palestinian attacks on Christian sites are common.
“It’s nothing special, unfortunately there are a lot of cases like this these days, even in Jerusalem,” Dr. Naim Khoury, founder of the first Baptist church in Bethlehem, told TPS. “The overall scenario is very volatile and other people are frustrated. People deserve to pay attention and see what happens. We know very well that no Christian would abuse a mosque. “
Nuns visit the Grotto of the Nativity Church, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born on the eve of Orthodox Christmas, in Bethlehem, West Bank. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
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The site attacked Sunday night was purchased through the biblical patriarch Jacob on the basis of the New Testament, based on Christian beliefs, the TPS said.
In 1908, work began on a small Christian compound, which included a church and monastery. Construction was only completed in the 1990s due to financial reasons and other factors.
The alleged attack took place as Israel and Hamas continue to be in the Gaza Strip following the terror group’s attack on Israeli communities on Oct. 7.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].