Note #9147 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
06104 Feb. 17, 2006
Bethlehem's Christian minority concerned about Hamas' rule
by Michele Green Ecumenical News International
BETHLEHEM - Christians living in Jesus' birthplace are bracing themselves as the militant Islamic group Hamas prepares to take power as the Palestinian Authority government after winning legislative elections in January.
"There are many Christians who are afraid," said Shatha, a student at the Roman Catholic Bethlehem University. "Since Hamas is new to the government, I doubt they will be able to implement Islamic law," she said the day before Hamas was to take over the Palestinian authority on Feb. 17. "But it's possible they might in the future."
Bethlehem's Christian community was already concerned after a member of the city council that is controlled by Hamas suggested imposing a tax known as Jizya on Christians, one traditionally imposed by Islamic rulers on non-Muslim subjects. The councilor has since said that such a tax would only be imposed once Sharia law is imposed in line with Hamas' charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state on its ruins.
But the denials that the council is considering imposing a Jizya tax has not quelled concern among some Christians in Bethlehem, where there is rising tension between the dwindling Christian residents and the growing Muslim population.
Since being elected, Hamas leaders have made a point of emphasising they would not force women to wear the "hijab" or veil, ban alcohol or separate boys and girls at schools.
But some Christians believe it is only a matter of time before Hamas starts flexing its muscles. They cite a list of grievances that have made life in Bethlehem uncomfortable for some and which is spurring an annual emigration rate of an estimated 2,000 of the city's 40,000 Christians.
Complaints range from services in the Church of the Nativity being drowned out by blaring loudspeakers from a mosque across Manger Square, to incidents of what local Christians call harassment of their women by Muslims.
Brawls between Christians and Muslims have broken out over small incidents such as car accidents as well as allegations of harassment.
"A lot of Christians don't wear the cross anymore, especially the men, because they don't want to stand out and they don't want any trouble," one Christian woman said.
But not everyone is worried. A Christian shopkeeper, who declined to be named, said he is certain that Hamas will never try to ban the selling of alcohol in Bethlehem as it has almost completely done in the Gaza Strip, where Christians are a tiny minority.
"Hamas is smart and knows that Bethlehem is in the world's spotlight," he said. "Don't worry, I'll always be allowed to sell alcohol, and they will never make our women wear the veil."
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