Changes

Though the Christians in the PA avoid saying so publicly, many of them fear – with good reason – that Muslim aggression against them will only escalate.<ref name=jp25dec2019/>

Though the Christians in the PA avoid saying so publicly, many of them fear – with good reason – that Muslim aggression against them will only escalate.<ref name=jp25dec2019/>

The situation of Christians in [[Bethlehem]] has deteriorated dramatically in the last century, and especially since the PA took control of the city in 1995. In 1947, Christians comprised about 85% of the city’s population, but that figure had actually tplunged to 16% by 2016, and is estimated since then.<ref name=jp25dec2019/><ref>“The Mayor of Bethlehem is Christian, but it is Hamas that’s in charge.” [http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/44202%26eng%3Dy.html], Dec 2005</ref>

The situation of Christians in [[Bethlehem]] has deteriorated dramatically in the last century, and especially since the PA took control of the city in 1995. In 1947, Christians comprised about 85% of the city’s population, but that figure had actually plunged to 16% by 2016, and is estimated since then.<ref name=jp25dec2019/><ref>“The Mayor of Bethlehem is Christian, but it is Hamas that’s in charge.” [http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/44202%26eng%3Dy.html], Dec 2005</ref>

2019 report cited "Islamic oppression" as the main source of persecution at Christian small minority of Arab Palestinians.<ref name=jp25dec2019>[https://www.jpost.com/opinion/the-christian-crisis-612032 A Christian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank],  The Jerusalem Post, Dec 25, 2019.

2019 report cited "Islamic oppression" as the main source of persecution at Christian small minority of Arab Palestinians.<ref name=jp25dec2019>[https://www.jpost.com/opinion/the-christian-crisis-612032 A Christian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank],  The Jerusalem Post, Dec 25, 2019.