The PA limited speech on religious subjects in some instances. For example, in December 1999, the Ministry of the Interior ordered a Christian television station in Bethlehem to limit its broadcast of Christmas music. The radio station disobeyed the directive, and Ministry officials ordered the station to close. The PA subsequently agreed to drop the issue and allowed the radio station to operate freely. In practice, the PA requires that individuals be affiliated at least nominally with some religion.
Foreign missionaries operate in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
These include a handful of evangelical Christian pastors who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity. While they maintain a generally low profile, the PA is aware of their activities and generally does not restrict them. Christians participate in Palestinian official life. A number of PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat's senior advisors are Christians. Six Christians and one Samaritan sit on the 88-member Palestinian Legislative Council in seats set aside for representatives of these religions.