Syria's new rebel-led regime has vowed that the country's 600,000 Christians will be protected through inclusion, but that likely won't happen under the jihadi regime replacing ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Rev. Benedict Kiely, the founder of the nonprofit Nasarean.org, told Newsmax on Saturday.
"Well, I would like to be hopeful," Kiely said on Newsmax's "America Right Now." "It's a hopeful season, but I fear that jihadi leopards don't really change their spots."
The rebel coalition, calling itself "military operations command," is comprised of Islamist and moderate factions who are united in fighting back against ISIS and Iran-backed militias, reported CNN.
Their leader is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the head of the militant group HTS. Al-Jolaini was once linked with al-Qaida and ISIS but reportedly has tried to distance his forces from the radicalism of his former allies.
"This man, al-Jolani, who is the new leader, was not only a member of al-Qaida but was deeply involved in al-Qaida, ISIS, a whole bunch of unpleasant jihadi groups," said Kiely. "He's promising to be tolerant but I've never heard either of a woke, tolerant jihadi. So we're praying and hoping for the best. But at the moment, it's not very hopeful."
There is also a "great danger" for Christians because of the call in Europe for refugees to return to Syria, said Kiely.
"If intense persecution really begins for the Christian communities, the West is going to have to be open to receiving Christians," he said. "Christians don't want to leave their own homes."
Europe and the United States also often forget that the Christian church in Syria is "as old as the Gospels … they've been there from the beginning. They are the cradle of Christianity, and we must do all that we can in our power to help our Christian brethren, especially at this time of Christmas."
Catholic Near East Welfare Association Director of Communications Michael La Civita, also on Saturday's program, added that this Christmas in Bethlehem will see "quite muted" celebrations, like last year.
"The population is for the most part feeling a bit under siege as there has been a lot of instability in the West Bank, problems of extremism that they are facing from settlers," La Civita said, noting the settlers are "going after" properties owned by Christians.
"There's a lot of uncertainty in the West Bank, certainly, as there is in the entire region," he said. "Their economies are so tied to faith-based tourism, and people aren't going there. These people, literally their entire livelihood has dried up."
It is also difficult to get assistance that is most needed into Syria, even things as elementary as baby formula, food, and potable water, said La Civita.
"Nevertheless, we've been able to do that," he said. "Organizations of the church have been able to do that through our own networks, which I can't reveal because it becomes it's such a security risk situation where for security purposes."
But if people want to help, they can work with the church, which organizations such as the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Nasarean.org do, said La Civita. "We work with the local community so we know precisely who needs the aid and how to deliver it. That's very important, and to do it safely so it doesn't fall into the hands of the wrong people."
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Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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