This week, the Catholic Bishops' Synod in the Middle East has appointed Father Elias Chacour for the position of the Greek Catholic Bishop of Israel.

Father Chacour is mainly known in the west for his book ?Blood Brothers?. This book continues to fascinate readers from around the globe. It has been translated to 28 languages and has entered the private rooms of powerful politicians as well as the poor dwellings of refugees.

Chacour, Elias and David Hazard. Blood Brothers: The Unforgettable Story of a Palestinian Christian Working For Peace in Israel. Foreword by James A Baker, former US Secretary of State. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2003.

Yohanna Katanacho, Special for Come and See, Feb 12, 2006

The Awana program at the only evangelical church in Gaza is extending God?s love, truth and grace to kids and families in this volatile region.

By Deann Alford in Gaza City, Feb 11, 2006

The Vatican and the Catholic Bishops' Synod on Wednesday appointed for the first time an Israeli citizen to preside over Israel's Greek Catholic community.

Palestinian Priest Elias Chacour is the first Israeli citizen to be appointed to the position. This is also the first time in 200 years a Palestinian has been appointed. Until now, ministers from foreign countries, particularly from Lebanon, were appointed bishop for the Greek Melkite Church.

By Jacky Khoury, Haaretz, Feb 8, 2006

At the invitation of Christian leaders in Egypt and Israel, Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director for World Evangelical Alliance spent time interacting with Christian leaders in these countries to learn about the current realities for the church and finding how WEA could best serve its member alliances and the Christian Community.

WEA Web site, Feb 3, 2006

The Church of England was on a collision course with Jewish leaders last night after it voted to disinvest in companies profiting from the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

The General Synod overwhelmingly backed calls for the Church Commissioners to remove funds from such firms, particularly its ?2.2 million investment in Caterpillar, which manufactures tractors used to demolish Palestinian homes.

The vote, which was supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is hugely symbolic, even if the Commissioners refuse to comply.

By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent, Daily Telegraph, 07/02/2006

?It makes me feel like I?m right in a biblical setting,? said Mrs. Carter. With her daughter Amy and son Jeff, she was wending her way through the living reconstruction of first-century Nazareth Village yesterday, on her first visit to the site she has supported for years. Villagers in authentic costumes were hoeing around olive trees as the farmer worked his way through a flock of sheep to carry a new-born lamb toward her. The Carter family and entourage were enthralled, and stroked its silky white face. Even the security service personnel pressed closer.

BY Glenn Edward Witmer, Menno Jerusalem, Jan 28, 2006

There is widespread unease but no certainty that situation of Christians will deteriorate in the Palestinian territories. Church authorities will seek reconfirmation of the February 15, 2000, Basic Agreement between the Holy See and the Palestine Liberation Organisation that guarantees religious freedom, upholds established Church rights and protects the Holy Sites.

?A disaster, Hamas?s victory is a disaster for Christians,? said an agitated K. M., a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem after poll results from yesterday?s elections showed the Islamist party gaining 77 of the 132 seats in the new Palestinian legislative council.

AsiaNews, Jan 28, 2006

Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson has shunned US evangelical leader Pat Robertson shortly before the two were to sign a major funding deal for the Galilee Christian Heritage Center after Robertson suggested that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was a punishment from God for the Gaza Strip withdrawal, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

"The minister has very strong views on this and cannot accept what was said," Tourism Ministry spokesman Ido Hartuv said. "We reconsidered the deal and realized that we cannot sign with Robertson or anyone who supports his views."

By AVI KRAWITZ, The Jerusalem Post, Jan 11, 2006

Jordan's King Abdullah II, whose interfaith efforts over the past year impressed Catholics, Jews and Muslims alike, will have a supporting role at this year's National Prayer Breakfast, according to a key aide.

Although he would not be the first Muslim to speak at the annual event at the Washington Hilton, he will have a bigger role than his predecessors, said Joseph Lumbard, special adviser to the king for interfaith affairs.

By Julia Duin, THE WASHINGTON TIMES, January 9, 2006