In this conversation, I speak with Father Firas Khoury - a Greek Melkite Catholic Priest in Zababdeh in the northern West Bank. We speak about life for Christians in Palestine, the local economy, and the urgent need for peace, justice, and practical support.

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Key topics covered

Father Firas introduces himself, his family’s long history in Zababdeh, and his identity as Palestinian, Arab, and Christian.
He explains Zababdeh’s location, population, and mixed Christian-Muslim community life.
The discussion explores the village’s Catholic school, agriculture, and the role of shared education in building peace.
Father Firas describes severe economic hardship caused by war, permit restrictions, reduced salaries, unemployment, and loss of access to work in Israel.
He details the impact of settlements, checkpoints, road restrictions, land confiscation, and water control on daily life.
The conversation turns to the growing fear of emigration among Christian families and the risk of empty churches and disappearing Christian communities in the Holy Land.

Father Firas reflects on the future of the two-state solution, the weakening of the Palestinian Authority, and fears of deeper instability.
When asked what people in the UK, USA, and Europe should understand and do; Father Firas calls for prayer, courageous advocacy, and concrete support for justice and peace.
We discuss educational support, community projects, and the importance of helping families remain through livelihoods rather than dependency.

Father Firas shares his efforts to build peace projects, raise funds, and support schools, medical care, and families in need.
The conversation ends with reflection on Church support, including the Church of England’s willingness to receive the Kairos II document, listening to Palestinian voices and the need for Roman Catholic engagement as well.

Notable themes

Peace-building across religious communities
Christian survival in the Holy Land
Economic hardship and forced emigration
Land, water, and mobility restrictions
The role of the global Church in advocacy and solidarity

This is the story of the world's oldest Christian community - and what may be the last generation of a 2000 year history in the land of the Resurrection.

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In episode 7 of the Hope in the Holy Land podcast, I speak with Usama Nicola - tour guide and peace activist from Bethlehem. This episode is notable for its emphasis on the doctrine of the Incarnation and its unique relevance to the Palestinian Christian pursuit of justice and peace.
As always, it was a pleasure to speak with Usama Nicola. Please subscribe to his Patreon page for his regular "Updates from Bethlehem"

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