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Endangered Gaza Christians Mull Flight Amid Deaths, Firebombs

[Bloomberg] Daniel Williams - The stone walls of St. Porphyrius Church in Gaza City were raised in the fourth century, a reminder of Christianity's long role in the city's history. The saga may be coming to an end. Christians in Gaza are increasingly menaced by Islamic fundamentalists and say they are on the verge of being driven out. "Never in Palestinian history did we feel endangered until now,'' said Archimandrite Artemios, the Greek Orthodox priest who heads St. Porphyrius. While there are few indications Hamas itself is trying to intimidate Christians, Hamas rule has brought to the surface Muslim groups that are actively hostile to Christians, said Hamdi Shaqura, 46, an official with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Artemios observed that, according to legend, the old columns in his church were from a temple destroyed by Samson after his haircut at the hands of Delilah. "The edifice of tolerance is crashing down over our heads,'' he said.
2008-02-27 01:00:00
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