THE growing influence of Islamic extremism has led to an increase in the persecution of Christians in countries, including many in the Middle East and Africa, that were not previously associated with persecution, Parliament heard last week.

The comments were made by the Alliance MP for Belfast East, Naomi Long, who told a debate in Westminster Hall that the Arab Spring had had "disastrous consequences" for religious freedom, leading to an exodus of Christians from the Middle East, particularly from Egypt and Syria.

"Although we are aware of the wider security and humanitarian crisis in Syria, there is a very real, but less publicly acknowledged threat to Christians. Jihadists have reportedly infiltrated the rebel movement, and tens of thousands of Christians have fled as a result."

Responding for the Government, the Minister for Europe and Conservative MP for Aylesbury, David Lidington, said that "an increase in persecution is threatening the existence of Christianity in the very region of its birth, with many people feeling they have no choice but to flee to safe havens elsewhere."

In a separate move, an ecumenical delegation of Palestinian churchmen was in Ireland last weekend for talks about the problems facing Christians in the Holy Land. They met politicians and church leaders, including the Anglican and RC Archbishops of Dublin.

The Revd Dr Peter Madros, of the Latin Patriarchate, told The Irish Times that the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 had been "the greatest de-Christianising influence there since the Ottomans".

Israel rejected the claims, saying that the number of Christians in Israel had grown from 19,000 in 1947 to 154,000 at the end of 2011. A spokesman for the Israeli embassy in Dublin said: "Christian Arabs are among the most successful groups in the country."