Sir, Michael Gove considers the “parlous position of Palestinian Christians” to be a “consequence not of Israeli aggression but of growing Islamist influence” (times2, Dec 11). When did he last visit Bethlehem or speak to its Christian citizens? While the growth of radical Islam may indeed pose a threat to the survival of Christian communities in the Middle East, it is not the main cause of the exodus of Bethlehem’s Christians. It is important to distinguish between Bethlehem and Gaza.

The current systematic strangulation of Bethlehem’s economy, annexation of its land (90 per cent of Bethlehem land taken to build the Wall belonged to Christian families), and restrictions on movement for its inhabitants are the consequence of Israeli policy. When tourists and pilgrims are warned not to enter Bethlehem because it is too dangerous, then the life truly has been snuffed out of a town whose economy depends on tourism. It is lack of hope for the future that is driving Bethlehem’s Christians to leave. Disquiet about the Islamist agenda may be a factor now, but it is years of Israeli oppression, economic stagnation and Zionist expansionism that have made everyday life so hard and caused more and more Palestinians to pack up and leave for an uncertain future elsewhere.

Banksy is right: Israel is oppressing Bethlehem. To claim that this is not so is wrong.

Elspeth Rymer

Butleigh, Somerset

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