Shadows of War Loom Over Gaza’s Dwindling Christian Community.
As the conflict between Israel and Palestine rages on, the plight of Gaza’s Christian community has come into sharp focus. Khalil Sayegh, a 29-year-old Palestinian who now resides in Washington, D.C., recalls the vibrant memories of his childhood in the Gaza Strip, centered around the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius.
The church and its surrounding compound, parts of which date back to the 5th century CE, once served as a hub for Gaza’s Christian community, hosting weddings, Sunday School classes, and music lessons.
The Christian community in Gaza, which numbered around 1,000 before the war, has been decimated, with at least several dozen Christians killed since the conflict began.
The former U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to retake power, Palestinians, both within Gaza and those living abroad, are grappling with a sense of profound uncertainty.
The current Democratic administration’s unwavering support for Israel has angered many Arab Americans, leading some to turn away from the party and support alternative candidates who promised to halt arms aid and sales to Israel.
The resilience of Gaza’s Christian community, however, has not been broken. Sayegh, inspired by his own “Come-to-Jesus” moment, has dedicated himself to advocacy for the Palestinian cause, co-founding the Agora Initiative, a nonprofit organization that promotes peace and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.
Despite the immense challenges, Sayegh and his Israeli counterpart, Elazar Weiss, have found a glimmer of hope in the positive response from Americans, who have shown a growing interest in understanding the complexities of the region’s history and the importance of peaceful coexistence.
