Number of Christians leaving Bethlehem increasing

-14/12/04

The mayor of Bethlehem has s


Number of Christians leaving Bethlehem increasing

-14/12/04

The mayor of Bethlehem has said Israeli occupation is forcing Christians to leave the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ in ever increasing numbers.

Hanner Nasir, the Christian mayor of this West Bank town, said living under the occupation was an offence to human dignity.

“Each year I try not to be gloomy in my Christmas message,” he said. “But the harsh facts on the ground and the clouds of instability and suffering that continue to overshadow Bethlehem strongly push me to this direction.”

Bethlehem continues to be the Palestinian city with the largest Christian population. The Christians and Muslims there have, for the most part, lived peacefully side by side. On the outskirts are three Palestinian refugee camps, dating from 1948. In 2000, the Israeli army invaded the city, and many people sought sanctuary in the besieged Church of the Nativity.

Since then as the Intifada has continued, unemployment has soared to 60 or even 70%. Now the infamous Wall is beginning to encircle Bethlehem and cutting its people off with an eight meter high concrete barrier.

“Living under occupation is certainly the most painful experience man can face and the biggest offence to human rights and dignity,” he said at a news conference in the city hall.

“We each day have to swallow the bitterness of the Israeli practices: killing of our people, demolition of houses, arrest and humiliation.

“The closure and oppressive siege have crippled Bethlehem and deteriorated the living conditions of its people to an unprecedented degree,” he said.

Christians in the West Bank expressed sadness and anger when they were unable to visit the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion to celebrate Easter this year.

An estimated 2400 Christians – about 6 percent of a total of approximately 40,000 living in Bethlehem and surrounding areas in the southern West Bank – have left since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian intifada, according to Nasir.

“Imagine the city of Bethlehem with no Christians,” he said.

“Christians all over the world should know this reality. If we don’t have a quick breakthrough in the peace process more are going to leave.”

Christians from the UK are expressing solidarity with Christians in Bethlehem by visiting them this Christmas.

Earlier this year Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron organised forty days of prayer for the people of Bethlehem.


Number of Christians leaving Bethlehem increasing

-14/12/04

The mayor of Bethlehem has said Israeli occupation is forcing Christians to leave the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ in ever increasing numbers.

Hanner Nasir, the Christian mayor of this West Bank town, said living under the occupation was an offence to human dignity.

“Each year I try not to be gloomy in my Christmas message,” he said. “But the harsh facts on the ground and the clouds of instability and suffering that continue to overshadow Bethlehem strongly push me to this direction.”

Bethlehem continues to be the Palestinian city with the largest Christian population. The Christians and Muslims there have, for the most part, lived peacefully side by side. On the outskirts are three Palestinian refugee camps, dating from 1948. In 2000, the Israeli army invaded the city, and many people sought sanctuary in the besieged Church of the Nativity.

Since then as the Intifada has continued, unemployment has soared to 60 or even 70%. Now the infamous Wall is beginning to encircle Bethlehem and cutting its people off with an eight meter high concrete barrier.

“Living under occupation is certainly the most painful experience man can face and the biggest offence to human rights and dignity,” he said at a news conference in the city hall.

“We each day have to swallow the bitterness of the Israeli practices: killing of our people, demolition of houses, arrest and humiliation.

“The closure and oppressive siege have crippled Bethlehem and deteriorated the living conditions of its people to an unprecedented degree,” he said.

Christians in the West Bank expressed sadness and anger when they were unable to visit the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion to celebrate Easter this year.

An estimated 2400 Christians – about 6 percent of a total of approximately 40,000 living in Bethlehem and surrounding areas in the southern West Bank – have left since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian intifada, according to Nasir.

“Imagine the city of Bethlehem with no Christians,” he said.

“Christians all over the world should know this reality. If we don’t have a quick breakthrough in the peace process more are going to leave.”

Christians from the UK are expressing solidarity with Christians in Bethlehem by visiting them this Christmas.

Earlier this year Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron organised forty days of prayer for the people of Bethlehem.