The birthplace of Jesus is facing one of the darkest chapters in its history, the Bethlehem mayor has said in a Christmas address, regretting the impact of the separation wall constructed by the Israeli government on the Palestinian town.
The birthplace of Jesus is facing one of the darkest chapters in its history, the Bethlehem mayor has said in a Christmas address, regretting the impact of the separation wall constructed by the Israeli government on the Palestinian town.
“This year, the birthplace of Jesus, though its history is full of inspirational stories, is living one of its history’s darkest chapters,” Victor Batarseh told reporters during his annual Christmas address, the Middle East Online reports.
Israel’s separation barrier (dubbed the ‘Apartheid Wall’ by its critics) has taken a particular toll on this city of some 40,000, cutting off access to farm land and isolating labourers from jobs in Jerusalem just minutes to the north, the paper says.
“Today we live in what is similar to a big prison,” said Batarseh, a 71-year-old former activist in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
“Usually around Christmastime Bethlehem used to be packed with tourists and pilgrims,” the mayor said. “Now, as you can see, the little town seems to be so quiet under the shadow of this wall.”
The wall has devastated Palestinian farmers as well, the mayor said, adding that 7,000 dunums (about 280 hectares) of arable land were confiscated to make way for the barrier’s cement blocks and guard towers.
“Many Palestinian farmers are denied access to reach their lands to collect their harvest,” Batarseh said. “Many others have no access to markets to sell their produce.”
The dwindling tourist numbers, Israeli closures and the severe limits on Palestinian work permits have sent unemployment in Bethlehem soaring to 65 percent, Batarseh said.
The Hamas-led government promised the town 50,000 dollars for Christmas decorations, but the money has yet to arrive. Still, Batarseh, said to be a Hamas ally despite his Christian faith, refused to criticise the ruling Islamists.
However, the mayor retains his hope.
“Yet we keep holding deep faith in peace,” he said. “We pray that the star of the nativity will shine on Bethlehem once again.”
