Choosing sides

Israel | Mounting casualties in the Middle East prompt American evangelical leaders to weigh in on Israel's behalf | Mindy Belz

Berhanu and Kidist Bogale are Ethiopian Christians who made Jerusalem their home after fleeing the regime of Ethiopian strongman Haile Selassie nearly 20 years ago. Ethiopians, both Jews and Christians, form a large ethnic community inside Israel. The exiled Christian community, numbering in the hundreds, has several churches in Jerusalem, including two chapels in the Old City's revered Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Bogales found a haven in Jerusalem's Jewish neighborhood of Gilo after moving out of a predominantly Ethiopian section in the center of town. Israeli neighbors welcomed their two children into local schools.

Now Israel for them is a sanctuary no more. After more than 10 years working at the same hotel, Kidist was laid off earlier this year and he has not been able to find another job. Suicide bombers have chased away tourists, leaving many hotels with too many vacancies. The Bogales' 11-year-old daughter Galila complained that she was afraid to ride the bus to school alone because of terrorist attacks. The Bogales began to make plans to emigrate again—this time to America.