The film was screened at the United Nations in Geneva on 18 February under the auspices of the World Council of Churches, sparking discussions about the Christian presence in Palestine. This is a subject often narrated by external voices, while the firsthand Palestinian Christian perspective remains largely unheard. From journalism to diplomacy Hanania’s journey began at the age of 15 when she entered a radio station and delivered a media-related commentary. Her insight caught the attention of the station’s director, who trained her and gave her the opportunity to pursue journalism. She went on to build a distinguished career spanning more than 20 years, during which she hosted her own political television program. Her transition into diplomacy saw her take on the role of director general and a member of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, enabling her to engage with international institutions and advocate for Palestinian Christians on a global stage. Palestinian Christians: rich history, ongoing struggles “My family are Christians from Bethlehem, and we consider ourselves to be the original Christians,” Hanania states. However, she laments the rapid decline in the number of Palestinian Christians, who now make up less than 1% of the population in the Holy Land. She emphasizes that before the Nakba in 1948, Palestine was a land where all religions coexisted without division. The conflict is not a religious one—it is a political struggle rooted in occupation and settlement expansion. “For us, preserving Christianity and the Christian presence in Palestine is not just a mission; it is a fundamental belief and value that we must fight for. We want to document our history because, for the first time, Palestinian Christians are telling their own story rather than having it told by outsiders.” Targeting journalists and suppressing the truth The documentary also highlights the dangers faced by Palestinian journalists, including Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist who held a Jerusalem residency ID and was also a Christian. She was shot and killed by Israeli forces in 2022 while wearing a press vest and covering a military raid in Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. “We, as journalists, feel like living targets,” Hanania says. “The systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists is an attempt to silence the truth.” She recalls traveling across Europe and the United States, only to find that many Christians in the West are unaware of the realities in Palestine. Shockingly, some did not even know that Palestinian Christians still exist. “Christianity began here. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, walked the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, was crucified, and rose again in this land. Everything started here, yet so many are unaware of our continued presence.” Occupation and the fragmentation of families The film also addresses the daily hardships faced by Palestinian Christian families due to Israeli policies, including land confiscation, restrictions on family reunification, and regulations designed to fracture Palestinian society. Hanania shares a personal example: her brother was married to a Palestinian Christian woman from Nazareth who holds an Israeli passport, yet they faced enormous difficulties due to Israel’s complex family reunification policies. “Palestinians are prohibited from driving inside Israel, even if they obtain a permit or an international driving license—a form of collective punishment,” she explains. “Additionally, a Palestinian wife is not allowed to live with her husband in the West Bank, while Israeli settlers are freely permitted to reside in illegal settlements within Palestinian territories. Even travel becomes a challenge; my brother and his wife are forced to take separate routes when crossing borders, as they are subject to different regulations.” Sharing the Palestinian Christian perspective Hanania stresses that the purpose of the documentary is not only to highlight the struggles of Palestinian Christians but also to offer an authentic Palestinian narrative, distinct from official reports and political rhetoric. “We want this film to serve as a powerful tool to tell the world what life is truly like in Palestine—but through the eyes of its Christian community. People are used to hearing about Palestine from the United Nations or political figures, but they have yet to hear it directly from us.” More than 2,000 years ago, Christ brought peace to the world. Today, it is the world’s responsibility to bring peace to the Holy Land.
The film ‘Via Dolorosa: The Path Of Sorrows’ tells Christians in Palestine’s story (WCC news release, 19 February 2025)
Via Dolorosa: The Path of Sorrows | Documentary event screening Video interview: H.E. Amira Hanania on the documentary "Via Dolorosa: The Path of Sorrows" | 
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