The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christians-in-the-middle-east/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:33:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Christians in the Middle East | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/christians-in-the-middle-east/ 32 32 Israel’s Christians rely on faith and allies as they fear rising harassment https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-christians-rely-on-faith-and-allies-as-they-fear-rising-harassment/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:02:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3879365 Many Christians, who make up less than 2% of the country's population, feel the government isn't doing enough to protect them

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]]> Pope Leo to visit Lebanon, cardinal says, in pontiff’s likely first trip abroad https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-leo-to-visit-lebanon-cardinal-says-in-pontiffs-likely-first-trip-abroad/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:01:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3624347 Tour expected to include Turkey, as part of celebrations in late November for the 1,700th anniversary of a major early Church council

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]]> Shadowy jihadist group claims Damascus church attack, as government blames ISIS https://www.timesofisrael.com/shadowy-jihadist-group-claims-damascus-church-attack-as-government-blames-isis/ Tue, 24 Jun 2025 20:48:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3583784 Saraya Ansar al-Sunna — possibly an offshoot of Syrian president's old rebel group HTS — says it 'blew up the Saint Elias church,' killing 25, over unspecified 'provocation'

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]]> Christian town in Syria keeps Aramaic alive, amid fears for future under new regime https://www.timesofisrael.com/christian-town-in-syria-keeps-aramaic-alive-amid-fears-for-future-under-new-regime/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 12:17:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3493141 Residents of Maaloula, one of the few places where the ancient language is still spoken, worry they'll be blamed for ousted leadership's abuses, targeted in 'revenge' attacks

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]]> Syria’s Christians mark 10 years since deadly ISIS attack amid worry for their future https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrias-christians-mark-10-years-since-deadly-isis-attack-amid-worry-for-their-future/ Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:30:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3487736 More than 200 Christians were taken hostage during Feb. 2015 assault, leading to mass exodus; those who stayed behind now watch warily as former Islamist rebel leader takes charge

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]]> Syria’s Homs settles into uneasy calm after brief eruption of sectarian violence https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrias-homs-settles-into-uneasy-calm-after-brief-eruption-of-sectarian-violence/ Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:44:32 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3447950 Security forces flood major mixed city, patrolling and checking IDs, days after gunfire at protest by members of Alawite minority; Christians say new regime protecting churches

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]]> Can Syria’s dwindling Christian community survive under jihadi rebel rule? https://www.timesofisrael.com/can-syrias-dwindling-christian-community-survive-under-jihadi-rebel-rule/ Sat, 14 Dec 2024 05:58:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3437651 Once loyal to the regime, Syrian Christians have ostensibly joined the national celebration after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. But can they trust the new Islamist rulers' pledges?

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]]> Churches protest Israel’s demand they pay property tax, say it’s undoing status quo https://www.timesofisrael.com/churches-protest-israeli-demands-to-pay-property-taxes-say-its-upsetting-status-quo/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 05:37:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3317600 Though they're major landowners, churches traditionally were exempt from property taxes; leaders call warning letters a 'coordinated attack' on Christian presence in Holy Land

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]]> Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly shooting at Istanbul church https://www.timesofisrael.com/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-deadly-shooting-at-istanbul-church/ Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:58:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3211779 Group says it carried out attack on 'gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony'; two gunmen arrested

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]]> Worshiper shot dead in targeted attack on church in Istanbul https://www.timesofisrael.com/worshiper-shot-dead-in-targeted-attack-on-church-in-istanbul/ Sun, 28 Jan 2024 13:21:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3211189 Country's interior minister says manhunt launched to catch attackers; motive of shooting unclear, but Istanbul mayor says gunmen only fired at victim

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]]> Sands of time: Christian monastery, possibly pre-dating Islam, found in UAE dunes https://www.timesofisrael.com/sands-of-time-christian-monastery-possibly-pre-dating-islam-found-in-uae-dunes/ Sun, 13 Nov 2022 03:57:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2872708 Finding on Siniyah Island in emirate of Umm al-Quwain sheds new light on history of Christians in Gulf region, which then -- like today -- was 'a melting pot of nations'

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]]> Iran said to arrest over 100 Christians in crackdown on conversions https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-said-to-arrest-over-100-christians-in-crackdown-on-conversions/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 21:25:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com?p=1977678&preview=true&preview_id=1977678 While the Islamic Republic permits religious practice by its Christian minority, defection from Islam is a punishable offense

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]]> Church of the Nativity renovation lifts Christmas spirit in Bethlehem https://www.timesofisrael.com/church-of-the-nativity-renovation-lifts-christmas-spirit-in-bethlehem/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 13:43:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1977118 West Bank site is undergoing $17 million restoration of mosaics, frescoes, and infrastructure, in a move Christian authorities hope will boost tourism, reduce emigration

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]]> Netanyahu vows ‘complete solidarity’ with Christians persecuted in Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-vows-complete-solidarity-with-christians-persecuted-in-iran/ Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:20:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1894879 Addressing Christians United for Israel's annual summit, PM thanks US Evangelicals for recognizing 'fundamental truth' about Jerusalem

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]]> Middle East’s Christians are dwindling despite deep roots https://www.timesofisrael.com/middle-easts-christians-are-dwindling-despite-deep-roots/ Sun, 08 Jul 2018 01:51:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1884970 Today, members of the faith make up only 4% of the region's population, down from 20% before WWI

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