Bethlehem Today Under Islamic Rule Selling cotton candy near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The persecution of Christians in the Middle East is whitewashed by US newspapers. The NY Times has an article up today that claims this year is muted thanks to violence between Israelis and Palestinians. That leaves out a whole lot of information. They wrote. “…this year, violence and upheaval have overwhelmed the holiday season, making it difficult to offer public expressions of cheer across the West Bank. The Rev. Simon Hijazeen of St. Justin’s Latin Church in Nablus did not decorate his church and parish home in colorful lights this year. It was clear why: His neighbor’s daughter, Maram Hasouna, 19, was killed trying to stab Israeli soldiers. Her family members hung a large banner with her picture from their apartment building, just down the street from the church. “They are our neighbors and we are sympathetic to their grief,” Father Hijazeen said.”