Christians and Muslims in Israel: Israeli State Policy

Rev. Dr. David M. Neuhaus SJ is a member of the Jesuit community in the Holy Land, where he combines scholarly work in Scripture with pastoral and ecclesiastical service to Christian communities in Israel and Palestine.

He teaches Scripture in several major institutions: the Latin Patriarchate Seminary in Beit Jala, Bethlehem University and the Salesian Theological Institute in Jerusalem. His teaching connects biblical scholarship with the lived realities of Christian communities in the region.

Neuhaus is the author of numerous books and articles on Scripture, theology and the religious realities of Israel and Palestine. His recent publications include The Gospel: Different accounts, one message (Paulist Press, 2026) and Conquest or Leaven: Reflections of a Catholic Priest in Palestine/Israel (Orbis Press, 2026).

He serves as emeritus Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew Speaking Catholics, Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Israel and is a researcher at the Jesuit Institute South Africa.

Neuhaus teaches Scripture and theology at three major institutions in Israel and Palestine:

• Latin Patriarchate Seminary, Beit Jala — Formation of Catholic clergy serving in the Holy Land
• Bethlehem University — Theological education in Palestinian Christian context
• Salesian Theological Institute, Jerusalem — Scripture and theology studies

His scholarly interests encompass biblical interpretation, Christian theology, mission studies, and the theological significance of Christian presence in the Holy Land. His work bridges academic biblical scholarship with pastoral concerns about Christian communities living within complex political and religious contexts.

Beyond his academic work, Neuhaus serves the Catholic Church in Israel and Palestine in pastoral and administrative roles. He is emeritus Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew Speaking Catholics, Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Israel.

This ministry brings him into direct contact with Catholic communities, migrant populations and asylum seekers, connecting theological scholarship with pastoral care and advocacy for vulnerable populations in the region.

David Neuhaus brings scholarly expertise, pastoral experience and lived understanding of the political, theological and social dimensions of Christian-Muslim relations in Israel and Palestine. His presentation addresses how Israeli state policy affects Christian and Muslim communities and considers the theological and practical implications of these dynamics.