Holy Land
Palestinians in Bethlehem look beyond religious tourism
By Mohammad Daraghmeh and Joseph Krauss — December 9, 2019
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — For decades, people in Bethlehem have watched as tour groups spend a few hours at the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, and then return to Israel.
Archaeologists uncover mosaic floor from 5th century church near Sea of Galilee
By Michele Chabin — September 16, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — A fire that destroyed an ancient Holy Land church near the Sea of Galilee around 700 CE appears to have preserved the church’s beautiful mosaic floor, which includes depictions of baskets, loaves and fish as well as inscriptions.
App for the blind is the latest in Jerusalem’s effort to make holy sites accessible
By Michele Chabin — June 11, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — In recent months, pedestrian walkways through the oldest parts of the city have been reworked to make them wheelchair-accessible, and new technology is bringing holy sites to life for everyone.
Greek Orthodox Church faces Israeli homeowners’ ire after land sales
By Michele Chabin — January 15, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The secretive sale by the church, the country's second largest landowner, to a group of investors has outraged residents and church members alike.
Israeli Christians protest artwork depicting Ronald McDonald as ‘McJesus’
By Michele Chabin — January 14, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The controversy has raised questions about the limits of artistic freedom in Israel, which prides itself on being both a progressive country and the home to holy sites of three world religions.
Israel to restrict entry of Gaza Christians for Easter
By Yonat Shimron — March 29, 2018
JERUSALEM (AP) — The restrictions mean that only about one-third of the community's 1,100 members will be allowed into Israel to celebrate.
Jerusalem tax spat pits heaven against earth
By Jerome Socolovsky — March 12, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — An ethereal city graced with sunlight so bright it turns the white stone skyline gold at sunset, Jerusalem is also an earthbound city whose teachers must be paid and whose garbage must be collected.
Christians shutter famous Jerusalem church to protest taxes
By Delta Systems — February 26, 2018
JERUSALEM (AP) —The Christian leaders responsible for the site issued a joint statement bemoaning what they called a 'systematic campaign of abuse' against them, comparing it to anti-Jewish laws issued in Nazi Germany.
Jerusalem violence puts damper on Christmas in Bethlehem
By Yonat Shimron — December 24, 2017
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Crowds on Sunday (Dec. 24) were thinner than previous years, with visitors deterred by clashes that have broken out in recent weeks between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces.
Cheers, rage and shrugs after Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
By Lauren Markoe — December 6, 2017
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The president made the declaration despite world leaders' warnings that the move would further incite an already volatile region and make it harder to restart peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
New film on Mark Twain highlights his religious doubts
By Kimberly Winston — October 16, 2017
(RNS) — A trip to the Holy Land in 1867 launched Twain from local journalist to international satirist and cemented his skepticism of organized religion.
A busy holiday season in Jerusalem’s Old City
By Kit Doyle — April 13, 2017
(RNS) This year Easter as celebrated by Western Christians falls on the same day as the Eastern Orthodox observance, and that in turns falls within Passover.
More than tourism: Holy Land trips advance peacemaking mission
By Heidi Thompson — September 29, 2015
A MEJDI trip might include a visit to Jesus’ birthplace of Bethlehem -- but also a meeting with an imam to talk about Jerusalem’s importance to Islam, and a Shabbat meal with an Orthodox Jewish family.
Jewish extremist poses threat to Holy Land Christians, church body says
By Michele Chabin — August 10, 2015
JERUSALEM (RNS) In a letter sent to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein on Sunday (Aug. 9), the Custody of the Holy Land said Benzi Gopstein, head of the Jewish extremist group Lehava, poses a threat to Holy Land Christians.
Pope Francis eyes religious reconciliation on trip to Holy Land
By Josephine McKenna — May 21, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The three-day visit is packed with official appointments and a grueling physical schedule for the 77-year-old pontiff.
