The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has committed an aid package of 190,000 AUD to support the Christians of the Holy Land during the current crisis. This aid will assist impoverished Christians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as Christian migrant workers and asylum seekers in Israel.
Gaza Strip
In the Gaza Strip, where approximately 1,000 Christians reside, the majority seek refuge from the ongoing conflict in the Holy Family Catholic parish and the Greek Orthodox church of Saint Porphyrius. Church compounds are now housing hundreds of families, with reports indicating severe shortages of food, medicine and water.
ACN is supporting an initiative of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) aimed at securing a constant supply of basic necessities, including hygiene kits, medicine, food and fuel, for the isolated Christian communities in the Gaza Strip.
West Bank and East Jerusalem
While the conflict is primarily centred on the Gaza Strip, its repercussions have significantly affected Christians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The West Bank is home to roughly 37,000 Palestinian Christians, with an additional 10,000 Christians residing in East Jerusalem.
Christians in the region heavily rely on the tourism sector for employment. With most pilgrim and tourist traffic halted, many local Christians have lost their main source of income, while others are unable to travel to work due to the closing of checkpoints, and other restrictions.
ACN is collaborating with the LPJ to provide emergency assistance to Christian communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This assistance primarily includes medical support, food coupons, and subsistence aid for rent and essential bills, such as water and electricity.
Israel
In September 2021, the LPJ established the Vicariate for Migrants and Asylum Seekers (VMAS) to care for the 100,000 Catholic migrants and asylum seekers residing in Israel. These migrants have various legal statuses, and many are employed in low-cost labour jobs.
Hundreds of migrant Christians working in the areas surrounding the Gaza Strip were forced to flee and seek refuge in temporary shelters in East Jerusalem, mainly in convents, Christian guesthouses, and other Church facilities. Others have found shelter in churches in different parts of Israel, such as Tel Aviv.
ACN is actively assisting the VMAS to provide accommodation, health care, and other essential services for displaced Christian migrants living in Israel.
Latin Patriarch thanks ACN
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, expressed his gratitude to ACN for the foundation's ongoing collaboration with the LPJ and for the support given to the Christians in the Holy Land during this time of crisis: “Thank you for your donation and solidarity with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Please continue to pray for our small Christian community as they give unwavering witness to the faith and hope.”
To donate to Christians in the Holy Land visit www.aidtochurch.org/holyland or call 1800 101 201.
