By Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Middle East

Istanbul, Turkey–

As the situation in the Middle East becomes ever more dire, Pope Francis traveled to Turkey to discuss Isil, refugees, Christian expulsion, Islamiphobia, and the reunification of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

In a display of humility, mutual respect, and the understanding of the grave situation of Syrian and Iraqi refugees, many of whom are Christians, Bartholomew I, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, and Pope Francis, jointly condemned the violence that has escalated in the Middle East. The Middle East has traditionally been home to Christians since the birth of the religion more than 2,000 years ago. In recent decades, renewed persecution of Christians has forced many to leave their homes and settle in Western countries. For example, just since 2003, the Christian population in Iraq has fallen by 70%.

Thousands of Christians have been forced to flee as Isil tightens its grip on the region. Remaining in Syria and Iraq means risking likely death and persecution for religious beliefs. Fleeing offers refugees not only a chance for survival, but a chance to continue to practice their religious faith. Jordan and Turkey have become refuges for those escaping the fundamental Sunni Islam imposed under Isil. But the burden of so many refugees will begin to weigh more heavily on those countries hosting them, which is likely to exacerbate issues in an already relatively unstable Middle East.

Pope Francis addressed the issue of fundamentalism, the primary reason religious minorities have been forced to flee their homes, during his trip to Turkey. He called for an end to fundamentalism and its devastating effects that take a serious toll on the lives it touches. Now, Pope Francis asserted, more than ever is the time for interfaith dialogue, respect, and friendship. He also urged that military intervention is not the way to end fundamentalism and extremism; rather, addressing the needs of the impoverished and starving is the most viable way to end fundamentalism. Pope Francis urged that addressing the needs of those most in need is not simply applicable to the Middle East, but to the world as a whole.

The joint efforts by the Bartholomew I and Pope Francis suggest a desire to establish closer ties between the Eastern and Western wings of Christianity. These efforts, as well as closer ties between the two churches, may enable Christian leaders to better handle the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, particularly under Isil.

For more information, please visit:

The Telegraph- Pope and Patriarch condemn expulsion of Christians from the Middle East- 30 Nov, 2014

The Guardian- Pope and Patriarch condemn Middle East persecution of Christians– 30 Nov, 2014

Reuters- Pope condemns ‘barbaric violence’ of Islamic State– 28 Nov, 2014

Deutsche Welle- Pope Francis raises alarm over Middle East conflict in Turkey Visit- 28 Nov, 2014

By: Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Middle East

East Ghouta-Syria

In an area the UN has declared one of the most dangerous places on earth, roam young Syrians carrying pots and pails. They are called Syria’s “bucket children,” and as their world, safety, and health deteriorate around them, these youngsters will roam up to 15 kilometers a day in a desperate search for scraps of food; anything edible to get them, and their families, by for another day. After the war sufficiently devastated the East Ghouta area in 2012, little food has made its way to the markets. With few survival options, despairing parents send their children out in groups to search for scraps. And while many of these children smile for photos, and enjoy a sense of comradery as they search for food together, their situation is dire.

The psychological and developmental implications of homelessness, war, and hunger, are incredibly grave. The bucket children suffer from severe malnutrition in many cases, and while they endlessly search for food, their brains become trained to focus solely on hunger and finding sustenance. As a result, psychologists concede that most of these children will have serious developmental delays and will struggle to concentrate on quite tasks, including reading and writing. The devastating impact malnutrition has on development and cognitive ability cannot be overstated, and the longer malnutrition continues, the more irreversible and serious the effects are on brain and physical development.

The bucket children are also exposed to serious dangers to their person when they venture out onto the streets to search for food. The children are often sexually assaulted or physically abused while out on their search. They are also exposed to sniper fire and crossfire. Death and injury become part and parcel of the fight for survival on the war torn streets.

Further compounding the issues of food shortage, is the difficulty many NGO and IGO organizations have in obtaining permission from the Syrian government to enter the country and distribute food and supplies to those in most serious need. It is nearly impossible for these organizations to have any impact, and many are ready and willing to help these bucket children and their families. And while aide waits at the door for permission to enter Syria, the dire conditions in which these children live deteriorate further with each passing day, as the war rages on around them. Without access to food and safety, most of these children do not have promising fates, and many will die as they struggle to survive another day, buckets in hand.

For more information, please visit:

Al Jazeera- Syria’s bucket children desperate for aide– 10 Nov., 2014

UNICEF- Syria Children’s Appeal

NBC- Hungry, homeless, helpless, Syria’s children know too much about war

Save the Children- Help and hope for Syria’s children and refugees

By Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter- Middle East

Bethlehem, Israel/Palestine-

Israel transportation authority announced that beginning this month, Palestinians with work permits will be banned from using the public transportation that settlers use from the West Bank to Israel proper. This announcement received mixed reviews, with many claiming that this move to segregated buses is racist and demonstrative of apartheid.

Israeli authorities reported that the new bus scheme was implemented in order to allay the fears of Israeli settlers, many of whom reported that they do not want to share buses with Palestinians for security reasons.  Many rights groups argue that the bus ban is simply an excuse to segregate non-Jews from Jews, and that Israel has been moving in the direction of segregated buses since March 2013, when it introduced a Palestinianonly bus for those traveling on work permits.

Although Israeli authorities initially asserted that they cannot, and would not, prohibit Palestinians with Israeli work permits from riding public buses with Israelis, they did submit that Palestinians would be strongly encouraged to ride the buses designated for their use. Israeli rights groups pushed back against this, and pointed to reports logged by an Israeli group that records checkpoint incidents. In one, soldiers ordered Palestinians off of a bus and told them to walk 2.5 kilometers to the nest checkpoint. When and older man spoke up, a soldier told him that he should take a “private van,” and that the Palestinians are not allowed on that highway and on public transportation.

Many are concerned that the segregated buses will be an opportunity to further reduce contact between Palestinians and Israelis, and is a step towards apartheid. Israel had long avoided serious accusations of apartheid because of the lack of “petty” apartheid, which would include separate cafes, streets, highways, and buses. Those within Israel (not those in the occupied territories), are technically, under Israeli law, allowed to use any and all facilities. Though there are many reports of Arab-Israelis being excluded from particular places, under the letter of the law, such actions are discriminatory. Those in the occupied territories face much heavier restrictions. The establishment of a Palestinian ban on buses in response to security concerns of settlers, is concerning, and suggests that the claim of security concerns, is being used as a catch-all reason to discriminate.

Pursuant to the apartheid argument, in March 2013, Zahava Gal-On, leader of the Meretz party, demanded that the segregated bus line be discontinued immediately, contending that the bus did nothing but demonstrate the incompatibility of democracy and occupation. Now, Israeli Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni, is calling the segregated buses racist and representative of apartheid, and she simply will not stand for it. With tensions already running high in Israel and the occupied territories, the new ban could easily exacerbate the situation.

For more information, please visit:

International Business Times- Palestinians banned from Israeli public transport system in the West Bank– 26 Oct., 2014

RT- ‘This is apartheid!’ Israeli minister blasts bus segregation for Palestinians– 1 Nov., 2014

Voice of America- In Israel, Palestinian bus ban slammed as racist– 30 Oct., 2014

Al Jazeera- Israel launches segregated bus service– 4 Mar., 2013