Julia Frankel, Author at Crux

Israelis celebrate ahead of a march marking Jerusalem Day, an Israeli holiday celebrating the capture of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP.)

Church in the Middle East

Ultranationalist Jews chant racist slogans during annual march into Jerusalem’s Old City

by Julia Frankel May 15, 2026

A new crucifix that was sent by Italy to replace the one that was defaced by Isreali troops in Lebanon. (Credit: Houssam Naddaf/via AP.)

Church in the Middle East

Israeli troops get prison for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

by Julia Frankel May 12, 2026

Israeli soldiers atop an APC in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Credit: Ariel Schalit/AP.)

Church in the Middle East

Lebanese Christians fear another occupation as Israel threatens to use Gaza tactics in the south

by Kareem Chehayeb and Julia Frankel March 26, 2026

Smoke rises from scorched cars in a scrapyard that was set ablaze the night before by who local residents alleged were Israeli settlers in the town of Huwara near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Credit: Nasser Nasser/AP.)

Church in the Middle East

Netanyahu convenes cabinet on settler violence in the West Bank that continues unabated

by Julia Frankel and Associated Press November 22, 2025

People mourn at the grave of Hadar Goldin an Israeli soldier killed in Gaza in 2014 and whose body had been held there until it was released Sunday, during his funeral in Kfar Saba, Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Credit: Abir Sultan/Pool via AP.)

Church in the Middle East

Israel’s president says ‘shocking’ settler violence against Palestinians must end

by Melanie Lidman, Julia Frankel and Associated Press November 13, 2025

People walk in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. World-famous Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have been put on hold due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. (Credit: Mahmoud Illean/AP.)

Church in the Middle East

Under the shadow of war in Gaza, Jesus’ traditional birthplace is gearing up for a subdued Christmas

by Julia Frankel and Jalal Bwaitel December 18, 2023

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