Christians' share in Jerusalem has fallen from 25% to 1.56% over a century — study

A century-long decline of the community

The share of Christians in the population of occupied Jerusalem has fallen from 25% in 1922 to approximately 1.56% by the end of 2023 — according to a study by the International Jerusalem Foundation, as reported by Anadolu. According to the authors' calculations, about 15,300 Christians remained in the city at the end of 2023, of whom roughly 13,100 were Palestinians.

Causes and documented factors

The study's authors link the decline of the community to Israeli policy, economic and social pressure, ongoing emigration, and a low natural growth rate. They separately note the impact of Israeli residency rules for Palestinians in Jerusalem, including the revocation of residency permits under the 'center of life' criterion. The report also documents attempts to establish control over church endowments and property, which, according to the study, account for about 28% of waqf lands in occupied East Jerusalem — including through long-term leases and financial pressure. In addition, it lists attacks on clergy, monks, and worshippers — physical and verbal abuse, spitting, damage to property, cemeteries, and religious symbols — as well as restrictions on access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and on participation in religious events, including the celebration of Holy Saturday and Easter.

Authors' conclusions and context

The study warns that such policies threaten the Arab and pluralistic character of Jerusalem and calls for more active legal and diplomatic efforts to protect Christian holy sites, church property, and the presence of Palestinian Christians. The authors place the situation in a broader context: Israeli military operations and violence by occupation forces in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have continued since October 2023. According to Palestinian figures, more than 1,220 Palestinians have been killed during this period, around 13,350 wounded, and more than 26,000 detained. It should be noted that the figures and assessments cited come from a single organization — no independent verification of the data is described in the publication.