As Christmas draws near, Bethlehem is living one of the “most difficult periods in its history,” says the town’s mayor.
As Christmas draws near, Bethlehem is living one of the “most difficult periods in its history,” says the town’s mayor.
Victor Batarseh gave that bleak assessment in his customary Christmas Message, as reported by the Vatican agency Fides.
“The wall of separation built by Israel has created many problems, preventing contact with Jerusalem and other areas, isolating workers and practically confiscating 280 hectares of arable land, turning the town into a prison,” lamented the mayor.
This year the number of pilgrims and visitors is low, due to Israel’s security measures, including checkpoints on the Bethlehem road.
Usually Bethlehem is crowded at this time but today “all seems to be calm in the shadow of the wall,” Batarseh added.
“Palestinian farmers cannot reach the market to sell their produce,” he added. “Unemployment in Bethlehem has reached the unsustainable level of 65%. Because of the financial crisis, the municipality has been unable to pay its employees for three months.”
In recent times, many Christians who lived in Palestinian territory have left the area because of difficult living conditions. “We pray the Star may once again shine on Bethlehem,” the mayor said.
The Vatican agency also reported the appeal of the Franciscan Custodians of the Holy Land, who are calling on the faithful worldwide “to save Bethlehem.”
The Franciscans report that the problems and difficulties not only affect the local population, but also the friars, religious and all pilgrims.
In 1965, Christians comprised 65% of the population; today they are less than 12%, the Franciscans noted. In recent years, 3,000 Christians have moved away from Bethlehem in search of a better future.
“The friars,” Fides noted, “are trying to persuade people to stay but they continue to emigrate because of the economic and social difficulties.”
