Will Palestine finally recognize local evangelicals?
In light of the growing influence of Christian Zionism in the West, the Palestinian leadership is revisiting recognition of evangelicals in the Palestinian territories and engaging local evangelicals to speak with Western Christians about support for Israel and the Palestinian movement.
After years of inaction and even rejection, the Palestinian government appears poised to recognize local evangelical churches in Palestine.
Al-Monitor learned from a PLO source in Ramallah that a letter of recognition had been drafted for President Mahmoud Abbas' signature more than a year ago, but was scuttled at the last minute, after the Donald Trump administration announced in December 2017 that it would be moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem, a move celebrated by American evangelicals, including Vice President Mike Pence.
Saeb Erekat, secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee, told Al-Monitor that the issue of the evangelical churches has unfortunately taken a while to be resolved.
“We do have a supportive position regarding Palestinian evangelicals, who are an integral part of our people and who have contributed to the development of our society,” Erekat said. “Palestinian evangelicals have contributed to the national cause both as Palestinians and as evangelicals.”
