Save West Bank Christians
Bethlehem is not just the scene of the nativity -- it is still the home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. Today, that community, and others such as Taybeh, Birzeit, and Beit Sahour, are facing constant threat of erasure.
This threat is not posed by war, but is due to expanding Israeli settlements surrounding the birthplace of Jesus Christ -- including the newly advancing Shdema settlement on the very outskirts of Bethlehem -- and the looming annexation of the West Bank. Together, these actions are increasingly choking off Christian towns, restricting movement, destroying livelihoods, and leaving families with no choice but to leave the land their ancestors have inhabited for centuries- with no possibility of return.
If these trends continue, Bethlehem, the cradle of Christianity, will be systematically emptied of Christians.
President Trump has spoken clearly and forcefully about protecting Christians and defending religious freedom. He has also stated publicly that “Israel will not annex the West Bank.” We call on him now to uphold that commitment before irreversible damage is done to the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Specifically, we urge him to demand that Israel halt new settlement construction around Bethlehem and to oppose the annexation of the West Bank.
The moment to act is now -- before this ancient Christian community is lost forever.
The Vulnerable People Project’s mission is to defend the vulnerable from violence by promoting human dignity and inspiring solidarity.
President Donald J. Trump:
We respectfully call upon you to exercise bold and historic leadership to protect the historic Christian communities of the Holy Land by opposing new settlements in the West Bank. To do so would immortalize your legacy of the protection of persecuted Christians, saving the sacred town of Bethlehem.
You have already spoken with clarity and conviction:
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it … There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
We agree. Now is the time to stop.
The construction of the new Shdema settlement surrounding Bethlehem is placing severe pressure on one of the world’s oldest and most vulnerable Christian populations. These developments are restricting movement, undermining livelihoods, separating families, and driving Christians from their ancestral homes.
We ask that you:
✔️ Demand that Israel halt new settlement expansion around Bethlehem, specifically the Shdema settlement;
✔️ Oppose annexation of the West Bank, which would permanently endanger Christian towns and villages;
✔️ Act to preserve the living Christian presence in the land central to the Christian faith.
Protecting Christians means protecting the communities where they still live- not only the holy sites they have long inhabited.
We call on you to act now, before this ancient Christian presence is lost forever.
Stand With West Bank Christians
Sign the petition and demand that President Trump protect Christians in the West Bank from extinction.
Join VPP in protecting the Holy Land's ancient Christian community from the existential threat of illegal Israeli Settlements