“Let us work together to replace despair with HOPE, fear with human SECURITY and humiliation with DIGNITY”

In shadow of security wall Bethlehem celebrates festive Christmas

Bethlehem has celebrated its most festive Christmas since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000 with the largest turnout of pilgrims visiting the town of Jesus’ birth for more than five years.

Bethlehem has celebrated its most festive Christmas since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000 with the largest turnout of pilgrims visiting the town of Jesus’ birth for more than five years. More than 30,000 pilgrims descended on the Palestinian-ruled West Bank town for the festive holiday. Still, it was the first Christmas celebrated in the West Bank town since Israel completed construction of a barrier that it says is intended to prevent Palestinian suicide bombers infiltrating into its cities. Many Palestinians say it has turned the town into a virtual prison and cut off residents from their fields as well as friends and relatives in adjacent Jerusalem.

2006-01-03T00:00:00+00:00 January 3rd, 2006|Categories: News|