Challenges In The Holy Land

Jerusalem and Religious Freedom

Jerusalem is a universal city sacred to the three monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The coexistence of these three narratives represents Jerusalem’s multicultural identity, which is the foundation of the stability of the city, if not the entire region. Maintaining the Holy City’s indigenous layers and multicultural identity is critical to preserving the declining pluralistic nature of the Holy Land’s many fabrics.

The U.S. Department of State’s Annual Report on International Religious Freedom documents the destabilizing impact that the construction of the separation barrier is having on its inhabitants. According to the State Department report, the barrier blocks the annual procession on Palm Sunday from Bethpage into Jerusalem in commemoration of when Jesus began his triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Challenges In The Holy Land

Settlements and Route of the Barrier in the West Bank

Settlements are located throughout all of the West Bank and are considered an obstacle to peace and a negotiated two-state solution. They are built on Palestinian land and prevent any contiguous geographical link between remaining Palestinian urban and rural areas. For more detailed information about settlements and other related issues, please visit the following websites:

• http://www.btselem.org/index.asp
• http://www.fmep.org
• http://www.peacenow.org

The barrier has been a difficult issue for Palestinians and Israelis. Specifically, its impact is irreversibly damaging the dwindling Christian community. The route of the barrier has divided Bethlehem from Jerusalem, which threatens to stifle Christian life by preventing access to holy sites, places of prayer, and contiguity of the Christian population with its spiritual, cultural, and economic lifeline. Furthermore, the construction of the barrier on the Mount of Olives is altering the role of Christian institutions.

Challenges In The Holy Land

The Holy See

The Fundamental Agreement is an historic international treaty signed by the Holy See and the State of Israel that established diplomatic relations between the two parties. The Agreement, signed by both parties in 1993 and entered into force in 1994, mandates a comprehensive agreement on all outstanding claims concerning economic and property status matters within two years. Seventeen years have passed since the treaty was entered into force and Israel was recognized, but the Agreement has not been finalized and ratified by the Israeli Knesset, making it impossible for church institutions to uphold the provisions of the Agreement in Israeli courts.

The Fundamental Agreement states that: “…The Holy See and the State of Israel will negotiate in good faith a comprehensive agreement, containing solutions acceptable to both Parties, on unclear, unsettled and disputed issues, concerning property, economic and fiscal matters relating to the Catholic Church generally, or to specific Catholic Communities or institutions.” It is vital that there be a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding claims so that various agreements can be written into Israeli law, permitting the Church access to due process in Israel’s democratic government and allowing Christian institutions to focus on serving the communities they serve.

Challenges In The Holy Land

Economic Status

Since 2002, the Israeli administration has been ordering certain Christian institutions to pay years of municipal property and employee taxes. This is a departure from the previous situation where these institutions had traditionally been exempt from paying such taxes. United Nations Security Council Resolution 181 of 29 November, 1947, mandating the creation of the Jewish state, stipulates that no taxes are to be levied on religious institutions. Since the reversal of this long-standing policy by the Israeli government, Christian institutions are becoming increasingly more vulnerable as they are pressured to pay exorbitant amounts in back taxes, which would ultimately lead to the end of their services.

The United States government should persuade Israel to protect the tax-exempt status of the Christian institutions in the Holy Land by informing the Israeli government about American concerns over any Israeli tax policy that seeks to collect money from these vulnerable institutions.

Challenges In The Holy Land

Christian Institutions

Christian institutions are a vital part of the Holy Land’s development, providing a safety net for the communities they serve. These institutions have been a beacon of tolerance and faith for people from all walks of life. In addition, the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities have benefited from the valuable services provided by these institutions, receiving health, education, and employment opportunities.

Christian institutions have faced a variety of challenges as a result of the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict that seriously jeopardizes their ability to function and deliver services. These problems include, but are not limited to, their economic and legal status, the route of the barrier, the separation of Jerusalem from Christian towns and villages, including Bethlehem in the West Bank, religious extremism, and a decline in religious freedom. These issues and additional ones are discussed further in this document.