Bethlehem Today: A State of Emergency

In Bethlehem, we are proud of our rich heritage of religious diversity. Christian and Muslim - together, we are Palestinians. It is our shared Palestinian culture and identity that has ensured the survival of Christianity in the Middle East to this day.

This presentation has been made in response to the recent accusations by the Israel lobby of anti-Christian discrimination and abuse in Palestinian society. At Open Bethlehem, we feel we must inform the international community of the real threat to the Christian population in Palestine – the military occupation of our land, and the crippling poverty that his has caused. This presentation explains how Israeli policy has left Bethlehem in a state of captivity and economic strangulation, from which those with the means to do so, would understandably flee. As a civil society organisation committed to the survival of Bethlehem’s historical diversity, we represent the interests of all Bethlehem’s inhabitants – Christians and Muslims alike.

District Population: 170,000

Urban Population: 75,000 (inc.14,000 in refugee camps)

Refugee camps: 3

Churches: 22

Mosques: 11

Bethlehem in numbers

Christian Emigration - Facts 37% of the Palestinian Christian population were forced out of Palestine in 1948 and now form part of the Palestinian Diaspora.*

•20% of the remaining Christian population emigrated between 1967 and 1994.*

•Between 2000-2004, a further 357 Christian families (10% of Christian population) left Bethlehem. (Source: OCHA)

•From being 10% of the population of Palestine in 1917, Christians now account for less than 1.5%.

* Source: Dr Bernard Sabella, Bethlehem University

“There are few options for residents once they lost their jobs in tourism. Seeing few prospects locally, approximately one-tenth of Bethlehem’s Christian population has left Bethlehem for other countries since September 2000… This economic emigration will have a long term impact on the multi-cultural character that has defined the city of Bethlehem for centuries.” (UN Report December 2004)

Separated from Jerusalem

The main artery between Bethlehem and Jerusalem is now closed. This main road previously sustained a vibrant economy in this area. Since the wall was built here, 1.5k inside the Bethlehem district, the area has become a ‘ghost town’ as businesses have been forced to close.

Separated from Jerusalem

Jerusalem and Bethlehem have always formed part of the same diocese. The two communities have been historically interdependent through kinship, trade, education, medical and social services. The imposed separation presents a grave challenge to the survival of both communities and threatens to erase centuries-old traditions.

Some historic Christian rituals, such as the colourful Easter Procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem are already extinct.

Jerusalem and Bethlehem have always formed part of the same diocese. The two communities have been historically interdependent through kinship, trade, education, medical and social services. The imposed separation presents a grave challenge to the survival of both communities and threatens to erase centuries-old traditions.

Some historic Christian rituals, such as the colourful Easter Procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem are already extinct.

A Diocese Divided

Gates and Permits

The sign on this gate reads ‘Welcome to Jerusalem’. The gate is in fact 1.5k inside Bethlehem. It is the gate that has been built in the Wall to control access for Palestinians wishing to enter Jerusalem. Palestinians need to obtain permits to travel through this gate. Permits are issued rarely and often only in special circumstances.

The Permits System

• Palestinians must apply for permits from the Israeli authorities if they wish to enter Jerusalem, travel on ‘by-pass’ roads, cross the Wall to work on their land, or to leave the country.

• Permits are not guaranteed to those who apply.

• During Christmas 2003, 2,785 permits were granted to Bethlehem Christians, a number unable to satisfy all Christians wanting to travel to Jerusalem. Applicants had no control over the dates on which they were allowed to enter – an Orthodox Christian could receive a permit to enter on 24 December rather than on 7 January, the Orthodox Christmas Day.” UN Report 2004

• “The permit system for the Closed Zone is administered in an arbitrary and humiliating manner. Permits are frequently withheld, even for landowners and residents of the Closed Zone, or granted for short periods only. The failure to grant permits to farmers to cultivate their lands will result in neglect and ultimate decay of fertile agricultural land. The permit system has also drastically interfered with education, health care and family life. This system, which subjects Palestinian freedom of movement to the whim of the Occupying Power, creates anger, anxiety and humiliation among the population. “(UNHCHR)

• “It has been widely reported across the international media that thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Jerusalem for this year's Holy Week and Easter celebrations. While this unique graced opportunity must have been wonderful for them, Christians living only five miles away in Bethlehem were denied this opportunity to practice their faith by the Israeli military authorities.” Brother Jack Curran, Vice President of Development, Bethlehem University, 17 April 2006.

This map shows how the route of the Wall and the system of closures, completely isolate urban Bethlehem and cut it off from its agricultural land and water resources in the east.

It also shows the way Bethlehem District has been turned into two isolated ghettoes as the urban area (in the east) is trapped between the wall and the settler-only roads to the east and south (see blue arrows).

There will be two gates out of the urban core to the rest of the West Bank, and two gates for access to the green land.

The expectation is that Bethlehem’s green-land area, which sits on a valuable aquifer, and where many settlements are located, will eventually be annexed into Israel.

The Wall around Bethlehem

In many parts of urban Bethlehem, especially in the north, the wall dips so far into residential areas that it leaves no room for growth, and towers over the daily lives of the local population.

The impact of the Wall on local families

Azar Hwash is a committee member of the Greek Orthodox Housing Project which established a housing complex near Shepherd’s Fields in 1996. He is pictured (right) laying the first stone. Homes were offered to Bethlehem’s poorest Christian families. Azar’s own family qualified for a new home. He lives in a small apartment with his children and grandchildren.

The housing project includes a vegetable plot and a children’s play area. Nine homes of the 15 planned were built by 2002. Azar’a family, like the others, anxious to have their new home, moved in even before the interiors were completed.

On 25 October 2002, the families woke up to find the Israeli army slapping demolition orders on to each building. They were told the houses lay in the path of a planned road. The families took their case to the Israeli courts and the demolition was stopped. But on 25 October 2003, the soldiers came again with demolition orders, and again in 2004. Azar says: “Last year (2005) they didn’t come, but night after night, convoys of soldiers cruise around here. We are afraid to go out after dark. They have come and taken our building materials several times. We are afraid to confront them. We would end up in jail.”

On the hillside opposite the project, where an ancient olive grove once stood, there is a new Israeli military post. The families don’t know what will happen next. The new road is snaking towards their homes. They don’t know how close the wall will come or if they will have to go to court again. “It looks like we will be swallowed up,” says Najia, Azar’s wife, “It is so stressful. All we can do is keep trying to live normally and hope for the best.”

Part of the wall in northern Bethlehem. Acres of olive groves lie outside the Wall.

SettlementsBethlehemites can see cranes across the skyline busily building new homes for Jews coming from Israel and around the world, while Bethlehem’s population is forced to leave. The wall weaves around the major settlement blocs.

Har Homa (pictured) is developing a ‘tourist village’, to cater for tourism to Bethlehem.

Har Homa settlement was built rapidly between 1997 and 2000, eradicating a ‘protected’ forest on the hill known as Jebel Abu Ghneim.

Chronology of a settlement

Har Homa settlement – 2003

Jebel Abu Ghneim – 1997

There are 27 settlements in the Bethlehem district surrounding the town . There has been a concentrated effort to get settlers moved into this area. There are now approx. 73,000 settlers living on Bethlehem’s land. This land has either been taken by force or acquired by coercion. This is a view of Gilo settlement in the north.

Stats on

Many families who live close to settlements have found themselves stranded between the wall and Jerusalem, without access to education and medical services. In many cases, without Jerusalem residency rights, they will face eviction from their homes. Many houses have already received demolition orders.

Har Homa settlement

‘By-pass’ roadsBethlehem is not just surrounded by settlements and walls. There is also a network of

Israeli-only roads which cut through Bethlehem’s land. Israel enforces access and building restrictions on a buffer-zone area in the vicinity of these roads.

“Trips of a few kilometers, where they are possible, take hours, following lengthy detours to avoid the areas surrounding Israeli settlements and settlers’ roads (known as "bypass roads"), which connect the settlements to each other and to Israel and which are prohibited to Palestinians. With the spread of settlements and bypass roads throughout the Occupied Territories, the prohibited areas have multiplied. “ Amnesty International

Vital Bethlehem landmarks will lie outside the wall. The Cremisan convent and vineyard has been a central part of Bethlehem’s history, culture and economy. The surrounding forest – Bethlehem’s only surviving recreational forest - will soon lie beyond the wall.

Bethlehem’s terraces – one of the best examples of this type of landscaping, and which has been preserved by the Bethlehem Heritage Centre, will have the Wall running through them.

Families Separated

Ten-year-old Ashjan Huzaibi lives in the village of Al Khas. In October she hadn’t seen her grand-mother who lives in the neighbouring village, Al Nouman, for four months, because Israel has built a road and fence slicing through the land between the villages. Israel has declared that Al Nouman is a suburb of Jerusalem, meaning that the villagers cannot enter. The road was built to service the rapidly expanding settlement of Har Homa, one of the settlements in the ‘Jerusalem Envelope’.

Families Separated

The Wall and its watchtowers slicing through Bethlehem.

The Wall at Aida Camp

The wall cuts deep into residential areas, even surrounding the heavily populated refugee camps.

Refugee Camps are home to Palestinians who fled what is now Israel and West Jerusalem in 1948 and 1967. Their plight remains unresolved. The building of the wall close to Aida camp prohibits any possibility of expansion and makes life even more difficult for those living in this already overcrowded space.

Rubbish gathers by the wall in Aida Camp. Refuse collection has been severely hampered by closures at roadblocks, checkpoints and the Wall.

Part of this cemetery is lost behind the Wall.

Rachel’s Tomb, a small, attractive shrine to Jacob’s wife and a significant Bethlehem landmark, has become a military outpost. The shrine which is sacred to the three faiths is now forbidden to

Bethlehem’s Christians and Muslims.

Homes and businesses around the tomb have been confiscated or bought illegally. The Israeli government officially approved the annexation of Rachel’s Tomb in 2002.

Most families have left the area around the tomb. Constant intimidation by the army and isolation from the rest of Bethlehem forced them to leave. But this Catholic family (girls pictured) cannot afford to leave. Their home and business is in the Rachel’s Tomb area and they have no income to support a move.

Route of the Wall along northern Bethlehem which separates Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The map also shows the section of the wall which forms a corridor along the main road.

The corridor extends southwards further into he city to annex Rachel’s Tomb.

A section of the corridor leading to Rachel’s Tomb – this new road is used by settlers and Israelis to access the tomb.

The road to Jerusalem before closure. Since the wall was built here, 72 out of 80 local businesses have closed. (UN Report 2004)

This Greek Orthodox kindergarten was forced to close because of its proximity to the wall close to Rachel’s Tomb – the area was made into a military zone with a constant army patrol

One of the most dangerous new developments that threaten the city: A

new settlement around Rachel’s Tomb (May 2006)

The building site for a new settlement in the heart of Bethlehem at Rachel’s Tomb. (May 2006)

It is feared that Bethlehem will become another Hebron, where extremist religious settlers have created a settlement in the middle of the city, terrorising local communities and driving them out of their homes.

Hebron Old City Settlement

Netting catches rubbish thrown down by settlers who live in pre-fab buildings on top of Palestinian homes.

Streets blocked off to Palestinians where settlers have squatted buildings, protected by army.

Plans for the settlement at Rachel’s Tomb

"We've succeeded in saving Rahel's Tomb," says Kever Rahel Fund founder and director Miriam Adani.

Adani was responding to the decision by the High Court of Justice last week to dismiss petitions by 18 local Palestinians, together with the Bethlehem and Beit Jala municipalities, against construction of a bypass road leading to the compound. The new route will annex Rahel's Tomb to Jerusalem's municipal boundaries and place it within a segment of the planned "envelope" barrier being constructed along the city's southern perimeter.

Mariam Adani, who established the Kever Rahel fund in 1999, reveals that for her and her supporters, the Court's decision is also the first step towards the establishment of a Jewish community around the Rahel's Tomb compound. In the past few years, she claims, several houses in this area have been purchased from their Arab owners, who have since left the area and perhaps the country. She adamantly declined to give any details regarding these deals.

She added that "several hundred apartments" were due to be constructed on the site, but that most of the civilians will arrive only after the barrier is completed. “

Extracts from The Jerusalem Post, 11 February 2005

A view of the walls around Rachel’s Tomb and the site of the planned settlement. This is Bethlehem today.

Open Bethlehem

Open Bethlehem is committed to the survival of Bethlehem as an open and diverse society where Muslims and Christians have lived as a community for centuries. The creation of a new settlement in the middle of Bethlehem by

extremist Jewish settlers is an alarming development which can only lead to further generations of conflict and oppression.

Open Bethlehem works in co-operation with the local Bethlehem government and wider civil society to challenge this dismal future and to keep the city alive.

We are reaching out to the international community, Christian and non-Christian to intervene in this crisis by supporting us and the people of Bethlehem in our

mission to keep the city open. Join us in this campaign. Visit our website and find out how you can become involved in this historic project to preserve a world

heritage site and the home of the oldest living Christian community on earth.

www.openbethlehem.org