Palestine
December 24th

“Blessed is Palestine whose God is the Lord!”

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.(Psalm 33:12,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Middle East
Population | 5.24 million (including 1.5 million in Israel, 6 million in Arab countries such as Jordan, and additional populations in the Americas and other regions; approximately 13 million Palestinians worldwide)
Area | 6,220㎢ – West Bank: 5,655㎢ (3.05 million people), Gaza Strip: 360㎢ (2.05 million people)
Capital City | erusalem (claimed), Ramallah (administrative capital, 34,000 people)
People Groups | Total 19 Groups, Palestinians 89.3%, Jews 7.8%
Unreached People Groups | 8 (98.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Arabic, English
Total Languages | 17
Bible Translations | Completed 9, New Testament 3, Partial 4
Religion | Christian 1.2% (Protestant 0.05%, Orthodox 0.8%), Islam 86.6%, Judaism 9.4%, other 1.9%
Evangelicals | 0.1% (4,900people)

》 About Palestine

Palestine has been under the rule of various powers since the 15th century BC and became part of the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. During World War I, British forces occupied the region, bringing it under British control. At that time, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, promising to support the establishment of a Jewish homeland, and the McMahon Correspondence, which promised independence to the Arabs. After World War II, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The Jewish side accepted the plan, but the Arab side rejected it. In 1948, the Jewish leadership declared the establishment of the State of Israel. Immediately afterward, seven Arab countries, including Egypt, launched a war against Israel. Israel won and came to control about 80% of Palestinian territory. This marked the beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed. In 1987, the First Intifada (popular uprising) erupted, during which the militant group Hamas also emerged. In 1988, the PLO declared Palestinian independence in Algiers. The 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO led to official recognition of the Palestinian Authority. Following the Second Intifada in 2000, around 100 suicide bombings occurred over three years, resulting in the deaths of approximately 5,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis. In response, Israel began constructing a barrier in 2002—a wall 800 kilometers long and eight meters high—across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Mahmoud Abbas of the Fatah party has led the Palestinian Authority since 2005. In 2012, Palestine was granted observer status at the United Nations. Although Fatah and Hamas agreed to form a unity government in 2014, elections have been repeatedly postponed. After renewed conflict between Hamas and Israel in 2021, Hamas gained popularity, while anti-government protests erupted in the West Bank.

Palestine’s economy is constrained by limited natural resources and dense population in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. As of 2015, agriculture and fisheries made up only 3.3% of GDP, while manufacturing and mining accounted for 13.0%, reflecting a decline in those sectors. In contrast, the service sector grew to 19.8%. Key infrastructure—such as electricity, water, and telecommunications—is almost entirely dependent on Israel. Frequent clashes with Israel and an unfavorable investment climate have deterred foreign investors. The Palestinian Authority depends heavily on international aid to finance its operations. However, with aid declining in recent years, the economic situation has worsened. The COVID-19 pandemic further compounded the crisis, leading to a sharp economic downturn.
Palestine’s GDP per capita is approximately $5,400

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Palestinian Christians make up about 1.2% of the population, and among them, it is estimated that over 5,000 are evangelicals. They face a dual burden—persecuted by fellow Palestinian Muslims and oppressed by Israeli authorities. Persecution is especially severe in the Gaza Strip, largely due to the influence of Hamas, an Islamic militant group. While the West Bank offers limited legal protection for religious freedom, such freedom is heavily restricted in Gaza. Those who convert to Christianity often find it difficult to attend church because of fear and pain from persecution. In addition, radical Jewish extremists have targeted church leaders with abuse. In 2005, there were around 5,000 Christians in Gaza, but only about 1,000 remain today. Many have emigrated due to harsh economic conditions, ongoing conflict between Fatah and Hamas, and religious persecution. In the face of this growing despair, Palestinian churches issued the Kairos Declaration in 2009 to raise global awareness of their plight and call for solidarity from the worldwide Church. In 2017, they released a joint open letter marking the 10th anniversary of the declaration, noting that the situation had only worsened.
Let us pray that the Palestinian church would receive the grace to hold fast to the God who created all hearts and sees every action. May they trust more deeply in the Lord who can deliver Palestine from despair and sustain it even in hunger.

2. Though Protestant Christianity is a small minority in the West Bank, institutions like Bethlehem Bible College continue to teach theology and host international events such as Christ at the Checkpoint. The Council of Local Evangelical Churches in Palestine is officially recognized by the government, and through it, young leaders are being trained. Let us pray for unity among local churches and foreign missionaries—including organizations like Bible Societies, Open Doors, and Musalaha—so that the gospel may spread and disciples may be raised in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Let us pray that Palestine will be richly blessed as a nation that calls the Lord its God, and as a people chosen by Him as His inheritance.

3. The Gaza Strip, home to over 2.05 million people, has one of the highest population densities in the world and suffers under an ongoing blockade and the Israeli separation barrier. The area faces serious political and economic challenges, including strict surveillance, unpredictable Israeli military action, and tightly controlled border crossings. Youth unemployment has reached a staggering 42.2%, leading to economic collapse. In this environment, radical Islamic groups continue to push many toward violence and resistance. The Gaza Christian Bookstore was forced to close in 2008 following the martyrdom of its owner, Pastor Rami Ayad, in 2007. In Palestinian society, religion is closely tied to family identity, making both religious conversion and even changing denominations socially unacceptable. In 2009, Islamic extremists bombed a church in Gaza, and Christian killings have continued. Yet, leaders like Pastor Hanna Massad and other servants of the gospel remain faithful, holding worship services and preaching the good news despite the constant threat of terror. In 2012, Islamic activists attempted to “re-convert” some Christian children through indoctrination, and such efforts to reverse conversions still persist today. Let us pray that the Muslims in this land will come to understand that no king is saved by the size of his army, and no warrior is saved by his strength—that all are sinners in need of grace. May those who fear the Lord be given the mercy and faith to hope in Him. And let us pray that Palestine, caught between Israel and the powers of the world, will become a nation that looks to God alone as its help and shield.

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