Changes

[[Image:West_Bank.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A map Judea and Samaria]]

[[Image:West Bank.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A map Judea and Samaria]]

'''Judea and Samaria''' or its the most commonly used secular name, the '''West Bank''', refers to the ancient [[Jewish]] homelands located in the west bank of the [[Jordan River]] near [[Jerusalem]] in the [[Holy Land]]. The land is bitterly disputed between Jewish and [[Arab]] settlers in the region. The West Bank has been controlled by [[Israel]] since the [[Six-Day War]] (1967) and part of it by the [[State of Palestine]] since the [[Oslo Accords]]. The West Bank is not officially part of any country, and is often referenced in the media as a Palestinian authority as it is recognized by the international community.  

'''Judea and Samaria''' or its the most commonly used secular name, the '''West Bank''', refers to the ancient [[Jewish]] homelands located in the west bank of the [[Jordan River]] near [[Jerusalem]] in the [[Holy Land]]. The land is bitterly disputed between Jewish and [[Arab]] settlers in the region. The West Bank has been controlled by [[Israel]] since the [[Six-Day War]] (1967) and part of it by the [[State of Palestine]] since the [[Oslo Accords]]. The West Bank is not officially part of any country, and is often referenced in the media as a Palestinian authority as it is recognized by the international community.  

Historically, Haredi communities have been open to territorial concessions when considered necessary to save Jewish lives under the principle of ''Pikuach Nefesh''. At the same time, severe housing shortages have contributed to the Haredi community's growth across the Green Line, including the establishment of large, predominantly Haredi cities such as Modi'in Illit and Beitar Illit.

Historically, Haredi communities have been open to territorial concessions when considered necessary to save Jewish lives under the principle of ''Pikuach Nefesh''. At the same time, severe housing shortages have contributed to the Haredi community's growth across the Green Line, including the establishment of large, predominantly Haredi cities such as Modi'in Illit and Beitar Illit.

Haredi leadership maintains a non-Zionist theological framework that separates residential settlement from ideological nationalism. Nevertheless, Haredi political factions, on pratical basis, generally align with Israel's political bloc on the right to protect the homes, budgets, and infrastructure serving the hundreds of thousands of Haredi residents living across the Green Line.

Haredi leadership maintains a non-Zionist theological framework that separates residential settlement from ideological nationalism. Nevertheless, Haredi political factions, on practical basis, generally align with Israel's political bloc on the right to protect the homes, budgets, and infrastructure serving the hundreds of thousands of Haredi residents living across the Green Line.

'''Religious Zionist Position'''  

'''Religious Zionist Position'''  

There are Catholic and Orthodox Churches in the West Bank and [[Gaza]]. The Iraqi-born, Assyrian Australian prelate, [[Mar Mari Emmanuel]], visited Gaza once.

There are Catholic and Orthodox Churches in the West Bank and [[Gaza]]. The Iraqi-born, Assyrian Australian prelate, [[Mar Mari Emmanuel]], visited Gaza once.

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 plunged to 16% by 2016, and is estimated since then.

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 plunged to 16% by 2016, and is estimated since then.

[[Bethlehem]]’s mayor at the time said that, “Due to the stress – either physical or psychological – and the bad economic situation, many people are emigrating: either Christians or Muslims, but it is more apparent among Christians because they already are a minority.”

[[Bethlehem]]’s mayor at the time said that, “Due to the stress – either physical or psychological – and the bad economic situation, many people are emigrating: either Christians or Muslims, but it is more apparent among Christians because they already are a minority.”

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 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>

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.

{{Arab-Israeli conflict}}

{{Arab-Israeli conflict}}

[[category:Israel]]

[[Category:Israel]]

[[Category:Palestine]]

[[Category:Palestine]]