Christians and Muslims have struggled together in the Palestinian nationalist movement, and these shared experiences have fomented cooperation, solidarity and unity among the two faith groups. Isolated incidences of discrimination or tension between Christians and Muslims have occurred, but generally the press that these cases receive grossly exaggerates the actual conflicts. Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Authority President, has actively condemned intolerance between Christians and Muslims under his leadership. Arafat, who is Muslim, has appointed several Christians to top positions in the Authority and his wife, Suha, is of Christian background. The Struggle of the Indigenous Church Leaders of the Palestinian Christian community are striving to build an ecumenical atmosphere in the Holy Land, bridging divisions that were weakening the already-fragile community.
Persecution is a part of the experience of minorities.
Thus the Bible is also a book about persecuted people, written by persecuted people. From this foundation, Palestinian Christians can find meaning in their suffering and accept the calling to be forces of peace and reconciliation in their troubled world. To pursue peace with justice is the Church's highest calling in Israel-Palestine today, as well as its greatest challenge. 4 Ateek, p. 73.