Palestinian Christian leaders are warning of the erasure of one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, as gangs of Israeli settlers continue to terrorise ancient villages in the illegally occupied West Bank. Beit Jala, a Christian town just west of Bethlehem, has maintained an unbroken Christian presence since the 3rd century. Its residents trace their roots back to Aramaic-speaking communities, and its churches, schools and homes have stood for generations. But that presence is now under threat by Israel. READ: Christians face threat of ‘extinction’ from ‘radical’ Israeli groups, warn church leaders Home to around 11,000 Christians today, Beit Jala’s residents are being forced to leave. Settlers have been seizing land in the surrounding area and preventing access … Continue reading Historic Christian presence in Palestine faces extinction under Israeli rule