Skip to main content

Gaza Christians, Hamas at Odds Over Conversions to Islam

The Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza Strip recently claimed that five Palestinian Christians were forcefully converted to Islam, sparking tension between Hamas and the Christian minority, writes Saleh Jadallah from Gaza. But the alleged victims have posted video saying they chose to convert, and Muslim groups say the same.
A Palestinian Christian holds a picture depicting Ramez al-Amash who they claim was forced to convert to Islam, during a protest at the Saint Porfirios church in Gaza City July 17, 2012. Two conversions that a Christian family says were forced have strained relations between a tiny Palestinian Christian community in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and the Muslim majority. Picture taken July 17, 2012. To match Feature PALESTINIANS-CHRISTIANS/CONVERSION REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS)

GAZA CITY — The recent conversion of Palestinian Christians to Islam has sparked tensions between Hamas, the Islamist group ruling the Gaza Strip, and the Christian minority here. Both publicly traded barbs for the first time since Hamas took over Gaza Strip from its rival, Fatah, after the 2006 parliamentary elections.

The Greek-Orthodox archbishop in the coastal Palestinian territory, Alexios, claimed that five Christians, a woman with her three daughters and a man, were forced to convert to Islam. But the Muslim Scholars’ Association in Palestine, a group affiliated with Hamas, said the converts had freely and officially embraced Islam on July 14.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.