April marks Arab American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Arab Americans’ contributions and to confront stereotypes and prejudices against Arabs. This Easter, I’m particularly mindful of the often-overlooked struggles faced by approximately 185,000 Palestinian Christians living in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Around 140,000 hold Israeli citizenship, 45,000 reside in the West Bank, and about 500 remain in Gaza. In each area, their situation differs markedly: in Israel, they are Christians within a predominantly Muslim Palestinian minority living in a Jewish-majority state; in the West Bank and Gaza, they’re a tiny fraction of a population overwhelmingly Muslim. While it’s sadly common in America — where mass shootings are no longer a rarity — to become numb to the loss of innocent life, we must strive to grasp the scale of suffering occurring in places like Gaza, where tens of thousands have died.

I recently saw the movie “October 8th,” which served as a reminder of the depravity of what happened on October 7 — the loss of innocent life, the ongoing suffering in Israel, the rise of antisemitism, and the demonstrations against America’s involvement, which seem less like peaceful protests and more like organized hate. We must bring our grief over the loss of all life to the cross, in the hope that there will be resurrection, reconciliation, and renewal.

Holy Week is a good time to identify with Palestinian Christian communities that have existed since the earliest days of Christianity — making them among the oldest continuous Christian populations in the world. I didn’t know much about Palestinian Christians, and I suspect my fellow American Christians didn’t either. That is why, when I was in Israel, I spent time with Palestinian Christians, going to Bethlehem Bible College and attending chapel, which was very much like an American Evangelical praise-and-worship service except it was in Arabic.

Palestinian Christians are largely committed to nonviolence, but their faith and commitment to nonviolence does not shield them from ongoing political conflicts, blockades, and military operations that disproportionately affect their lives and communities.

Palestinian Christians face numerous hardships, such as restrictions on movement that often prevent them from accessing important religious sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem during sacred holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Churches are often damaged or destroyed. I am impressed by their resilience, faith, and efforts to maintain hope despite overwhelming hardship. An example is Rama: despite losing her home during recent hostilities, Rama continues to volunteer, supporting displaced families and organizing prayer meetings in makeshift venues to maintain community solidarity.

Churches and Christian institutions play a crucial role in Gaza, providing essential humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and community support amidst ongoing conflict. Caritas Jerusalem regularly distributes food and medicine, operates medical clinics, and supports children affected by trauma.  Organizations such as the Christian Mission to Gaza, led by Hanna Massad, and Health Outreach to the Middle East (H.O.M.E.), as well as leaders like Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, founder of Dar al-Kalima University, and Rev. Alex Awad, a respected pastor and advocate for Palestinian rights, provide vital support and advocacy for Palestinian communities.

Bethlehem Bible College is providing for Christians and the suffering people in Gaza and the West Bank, helping people with food, medicine and even creating a children’s day school in Gaza city. Dr. Rula Khoury-Mansour, and Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, are leaders actively advocating for peace, reconciliation, and justice.

Easter symbolizes profound suffering, and solidarity with the oppressed, the ultimate triumph over injustice, Christ’s resurrection. Christ shares in the pain of those living amidst conflict and trauma today, offering spiritual comfort and the assurance of God’s presence within suffering.

Easter challenges Christians to not simply observe from afar but to actively empathize, and respond to human suffering and injustice through compassion, empathy, advocacy, generosity, and acts of practical solidarity.

The cross of Christ represents unjust suffering and God’s profound presence amidst human pain. Easter means that pain, even amid violence and despair, can be transformed into hope and renewal.

This Easter, as we recognize Arab American Heritage Month, let us truly see and stand alongside Palestinian Christian communities whose resilience amidst suffering deserves our response, and active support.

We can pray intentionally, advocate for justice and peace in tangible ways, generously support organizations providing essential aid, and share stories that humanize those affected. Easter reminds us powerfully that suffering and injustice never have the final say, and that our call as Christians is to actively embody resurrection hope. Easter reminds us that the good news of the gospel is for the living as well as the dead.

This Easter, let us take to heart Jesus’s profound call: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” May we encourage Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike to actively pursue peace, knowing that peaceful coexistence is achievable, as evidenced by the harmony found in Israel’s mixed Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities, interfaith families, and coalitions tirelessly promoting peace and human dignity. We are called to support these courageous efforts by engaging in interfaith dialogue, humanitarian outreach, and advocacy dedicated to ending violence and alleviating human suffering.

Easter’s powerful message of overcoming suffering through love can inspire us toward a united, global movement for justice and peace — in Gaza, the broader Holy Land, and beyond.

Ed Gaskin is Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets and founder of Sunday Celebrations