“What would Jesus do, what would Jesus say”

The City Council Members, the Municipality Staff and the citizen of Beit Sahour- join me to send a message of peace and love to you this blessed Christmas season.
Hani Al-Hayek
Mayor of Beit Sahour
News – HCEF

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The City Council Members, the Municipality Staff and the citizen of Beit Sahour- join me to send a message of peace and love to you this blessed Christmas season.

This will be the 41st year we celebrate these holidays under Israeli occupation. We are now completely surrounded from three sides by Israeli settlements and by the segregation wall. The remaining side to the East has been targeted by settlers who extensively provoke us by insisting on building a settlement their. Yet, we believe the message of the Prince of Peace will triumph in the Holy Land with your support. Most of our citizens cannot even get to Occupied Jerusalem, a mere 7 miles away.

When Jesus was born less than 500 yards from where we will light our town Christmas tree, this land of the shepherds was occupied by a foreign army. Today our own children live in fear and deprivation. Unemployment is at 45% and our highly skilled and educated people are continuously emigrating seeking better opportunities to fulfill their legitimate dreams and ambitions.

It is in this context that we were reminded by the heads of all the churches/denominations in occupied Palestine that “we need to ask ourselves ‘What would Jesus do, what would Jesus say’. Then, our thoughts and ideas of His actions and words must be translated into the daily life of our community – particularly in this Holy Land.”

We ask all our friends and supporters to pray for us and to help us achieve peace in the land where Jesus was born.

We wish you all a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

God Bless You,

Hani Al-Hayek

Mayor of Beit Sahour