Bethlehem: Former US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has expressed concern over the situation of Christians in the occupied West Bank, pointing to the impact of illegal Israeli settlements and military restrictions in the southern city of Bethlehem.

According to Anadolu Agency, Greene highlighted the issue on US social media platform X, emphasizing that American Christians need to become more aware of the persecution faced by their counterparts in Bethlehem. She stated the importance of speaking out against these injustices, especially considering Bethlehem's significance as the birthplace of Jesus.

In her discussions with Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati, Greene explored the challenges that Christians encounter in Bethlehem, Gaza, and the West Bank. She noted that Christians have been victims of violence during Israel's military actions in Gaza and that churches have come under attack. Canawati conveyed the desire of Bethlehem's residents to coexist peacefully with their Jewish and Muslim neighbors despite the ongoing threat from settlers who continue to confiscate their legally owned homes.

Greene further reported that Bethlehem is currently encircled by 139 Israeli army checkpoints. The city, which once spanned 41 square miles, has now been reduced to just seven square miles. She raised a poignant question about the future of the Holy Land without its Christian community, underlining the gravity of the situation.