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Mennonite Central Committee

Relief, development and peace in the name of Christ

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Mennonite Central Committee

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) shares God's love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice.

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MCC Canada
MCC Canada
134 Plaza Dr.
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Canada
Office: (844) 732-2346
Toll Free: (877) 684-1181
Fax: (204) 269-9875
canada@mcccanada.ca
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134 Plaza Drive
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Canada
Office: (844) 732-2346
media@mcccanada.ca

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  3. 'We are all people'
GAZA

'We are all people'

A story of life behind the economic blockade in Gaza

October 22, 2019

by MCC staff

The United Nations has said that Gaza could become uninhabitable by 2020, due to the complete economic blockade imposed by Israel. Gaza is predominantly Muslim but is home to a small Christian community with roots that go back to biblical times.

Thirteen years ago, there were more than 5,000 Christians in Gaza, but the number has dwindled to 1,000, as a result of the Israeli blockade and the succeeding wars. Many who were able to leave did so. Sohail Aiadis, a Christian born and raised in Gaza, does not want to join them. “I won’t leave Gaza,” he says. “I love Gaza.”

Aiadis says the crisis caused by the Gaza blockade affects Christian and Muslim alike. He worries about the economic crisis, which has led to steep unemployment levels. He invested all of the resources he could in his children’s education, but two of his sons have been unable to find employment. The third son is employed by the Orthodox Church and is now the main provider for the extended family.

Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza is affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Church. The number of Christians in Gaza now is around 1,000. MCC photo by Mostafa Al Naffar

Aiadis says help for Gaza will come “only from God.” He holds onto hope that the world will stand beside Gazans in seeking their freedom. His request: “Please help all the Palestinians, with no discrimination between Christians or Muslims. We are all people.”


Take action: U.S. | Canada

Learn more about Palestinian Christians.

Log onto mcccanada.ca every Tuesday until the end of October 2019
 to read another story from Gaza.

Other stories in this series:
The food is ruined
'It tastes like salt'

 

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