Hezbollah Attacks Put Israeli Christians in the Crossfire

Hezbollah’s attacks, which sometimes number dozens a day, have caused damage, casualties and fear in the towns, villages and kibbutzim (communal farms) that dot Israel’s mostly rural northern border. This has affected the lives of all Israelis who live near Israel’s border with Lebanon, including tens of thousands of Christians. 

“This is a war of attrition,” said Bishop Rafic Nahra, patriarchal vicar for Israel and auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, describing the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. “People’s lives are affected. It is a very difficult situation.” 

While there are some Christians who are visiting Israel on solidarity missions or serving as volunteers to Israeli farmers and others in need, they rarely visit the usual Christian holy sites.  

“There is very little tourism,” Father Nahra said. “A few Asian groups but almost no Americans or Europeans.” This is a big blow for the country’s 185,000-strong Christian community, which relies heavily on pilgrimages. “All those who worked in hotels, in Christian shops, who produce items sold to pilgrims aren’t working.” Even the large hostel run by the Sisters of Nazareth is shuttered.