هجرة المسيحيين العرب من المشرق العربي عموماً و فلسطين خصوصاً في القرن العشرين
Date
2014-06-15
Authors
جهاد جادالله أحمد رمضان
Jihad Jadallah Ahmad Ramadan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AL-Quds University
جامعة القدس
جامعة القدس
Abstract
This study addresses the topic of emigration of Arab Christians from the Arab East in
general and Palestine in particular during the twentieth century.
The study aimed at identifying the true motives for the Christian emigration from the Arab
East and Palestine in particular during the twentieth century by taking into consideration
international, regional and local variables, increase in ethnic and religious conflicts, and
spread of religious discourse. The study also aimed to identify the demographic, economic,
religious and social impacts of Palestinian Christians emigration on Palestine in general
and Christians in particular.
The study justifications indicate the need for an address of Christian emigration since it
has negative impacts on the countries of Arab East including Palestine. Christian
emigration causes a disruption in the culture of the region and its diversity.
The study problem seeks to answer a fundamental question namely, what are the actual
causes for the emigration of Arab Christians from the Arab East and Palestine in particular
during the twentieth century?
This study adopted both descriptive and historical approaches; it analyzed the causes for
the emigration of Arab Christians through a historical tracking of the different stages of
this emigration along with an analysis of the motives for each stage. It also highlights
figures regarding immigration of Christian emigrants from the Arab East and Palestine.
As for the study geographical limitations, they cover the Arab East region, namely, Egypt,
Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. As for Palestine, the study geographical limitations are the
Historical Palestine until 1948. Beyond this date, the study limitations cover the
Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.
The study reached a number of conclusion, the deplorable economic conditions in the Arab
countries were the main factors behind the emigration of Arab Christians. Moreover, political instability, exasperating social conditions, absence of democracy and the policy of
marginalization were the main causes for the emigration of different Christian
denominations and communities. Thus, their presence was weakened, and it created a
feeling of estrangement and not belonging among them. As for the phenomenon of
Palestinian Christian emigration, the roots of which date back to the second half of the
nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century, its motives differed from one
stage to another. The deteriorating economic conditions and unstable political
circumstances were the main reasons for the Christian emigration in the second half of the
nineteenth century. The practices namely, killing, expulsion and Arab land confiscation of
the Zionist organizations headed by the Haganah against the Palestinian people were the
main factors behind this emigration of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Muslims and
Christians. Emigration at this stage was compulsory. As for the period between 1967 until
the end of the twentieth century, Christian emigration came as a result of the Israeli
suppressive policies, decline of economic conditions and loss of security and stability as
main reasons for emigration. Therefore, some decided to emigrate in search for a more
capable environment to provide a better life than that in Palestine. They were helped in
their decision by the safety networks of family and friends abroad. As for the Islamic
religious discourse as a cause for emigration, most studies along with expert scholars in
Christian emigration indicated that it was not a main cause for emigration. The study
concludes that emigration will not come to an end as long as there is occupation and as
long as the Israeli - Arab conflict remains unresolved. The first step to end this emigration
is to put an end to this occupation; the international community, as its first duty, has to put
an end this status quo.
The study recommends that it is essential to focus on developing an economically,
socially and culturally compatible environment and to increase awareness of the people of
the values of citizenship and respect of pluralism; it should not also marginalize any of the
components of its people in its endeavors to alleviate this phenomenon of emigration.
Description
Keywords
الدراسات الاقليمية , Regional Studies