The European Bishops hope for an apt solution for the Cremisan case

The European Bishops hope that "the sensitive situation in the Cremisan might find an appropriate solution respectful of the rights of families, their properties and the two religious communities, as well as their educational mission". The hope around the issue of Palestinian lands expropriated in the area of Beit Jala for the construction of the separation wall, is contained in the final message of the Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), which this year was held in the Holy Land from 11 to 16 September.

The message also stresses the strike and other forms of mobilization undertaken by Christian schools in Israel against the discriminatory policies implemented against them by the Israeli government. In their message, the Bishops of Europe refer to the "fundamental rights of parents to educate their children according to their convictions. For this freedom to be possible - the text reads – it is necessary that Catholic schools are able to carry out their educative task on behalf of the whole society with every appropriate support. The European Bishops reaffirm this innate right in the Holy Land, too, and are supportive of the pastors and families concerned about the education of their own children".

Pope Francis and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin discussed the issue when they met for the first time at the Vatican.

Israel’s Christian schools have been on strike since the start of the month. State funds cover only 29 per cent of costs. While their  Ultra orthodox counterpart is funded 100 per cent by the state and their curriculum is not subject to Education Ministry inspections. 

Israel has 47 Christian schools with some 33,000 pupils - 60 per cent of them Christian and 40 per cent Muslim with few Jews. The staff stands at about 3,000, including Muslims and Jews. Until two years ago, Christian schools received 65 percent of their budget from the state, but that was cut to 34 per cent and is now at 29 per cent, which is not sufficient to cover costs. (Fides, AsiaNews)