Ep. 36: “Ask An Arab Israeli” with Ruby Bishai

🎙️ JCZC Podcast | Ep. 36 “Ask An Arab Israeli” with Ruby Bishai ✝️ What is it really like to be an Arab Christian living in Israel? 👇👇Have a question for Ruby? Drop it in the comments and he’ll answer it next week!👇👇 Ruby Bishai shares his extraordinary story as an Arab Christian living in Israel, whose family traces its Levantine roots back nearly 2,000 years. In this eye-opening conversation, he explores the decline of Christianity across the Middle East, the realities of persecution, and why he believes Israel offers freedoms that many Christians elsewhere in the region no longer enjoy. 🇮🇱🌍 From the October 7 attacks to the future of Arab Christians, Ruby challenges common media narratives while calling for truth, understanding, and hope in one of the world's most misunderstood conflicts. 🎙️ In this episode:• Ruby's ancient Christian heritage from Nazareth, Egypt, and the Levant• Why Christianity is disappearing across much of the Middle East• What life is really like for Arab Christians living in Israel• Christian persecution in Egypt, Gaza, and neighboring countries• October 7, Hamas, and the impact on Arab Israelis and Palestinians• The role of Western media in shaping public perception• Why dialogue, faith, and truth matter more than ever 💥 Faith. History. Identity. Persecution. This powerful firsthand account offers a perspective rarely heard—and challenges what many people think they know about Christians in the Middle East. 👇Timestamps 00:00 Treatment of Christians in Israel: Myths and Realities 00:28 Introducing Ruby Bishai: His Background and Heritage 01:26 Family Lineage and Historical Roots in the Middle East 02:52 The Decline of Christianity in the Middle East: Numbers and Causes 07:00 Christianity in Egypt: From 95% to 10-15% Today 11:55 Media Coverage and the Western Narrative on Christian Persecution 17:06 The Situation of Christians in Gaza and Bethlehem 21:11 Historical Trajectory of Christian Communities in the Region 29:01 The Impact of War and Political Changes on Christians 38:59 Persecution in Israel: Reality vs. Perception 44:07 The Future of Christians in the Middle East and Israel 🎙️Host: Simeon Myers:  Residing in the US, Simeon oversees ARISE's day-to-day operations and initiatives. Prior to pivoting with his brother to the ARISE initiative, Simeon served alongside Calev as Executive Director for the Jerusalem Institute of Justice. A bit of a renaissance man, Simeon owned and operated a jewelry design and manufacturing company in his early life. He has been a singer/songwriter with television placement, a poker professional, and currently works in film production/directing. If you can’t reach Simeon, he’s probably out on a mountain stream fly fishing. 🎙️Our Guest: Robert “Ruby” Bishai: Ruby’s calling is deeply personal. An Arab Israeli Christian who grew up in the Jewish town of Tiberias, Ruby offers a unique perspective on the challenges and connections between Jewish and Arab communities in Israel. Today, he works to build understanding and foster unity between people often divided by history. 🔗 Learn more about ARISE and JCZC at https://ariseforisrael.com/ https://jczcongress.com/ Instagram: @ariseforisrael @jczcongress 🔔 Subscribe for bold, truth-driven conversations on Israel, justice, media, and the values that shape our world. #ArabChristian #Israel #WesternValues #ArabIsraeli #MiddleEast