February 20, 2024 / 02:26 PM
Almost five months since the start of the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group in the Holy Land, Christians in the region are facing a widespread economic crisis and a record unemployment rate of 72% of the population, as well as discrimination.
According to the pontifical foundation Help the Church in Need (ACN), the consequences of the war have left numerous families struggling to survive “due to the paralysis of the tourism sector, mass layoffs and severe restrictions on freedom of movement.”
After the Hamas attacks that started the clashes, on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government encouraged the arrival of more than 80,000 Indians to replace Palestinians working in Jewish territory. This, ACN comments, was confirmed by various local sources.