Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah : Bethlehem Celebrates Another Occupied Christmas
Bethlehem celebrates another occupied Christmas Whether the city of Jesus' birth will be a symbol for peace or for war lies in the hands of Israel's leaders. Can they respect the legal and moral imperative to ... HAARETZ.COM At this holy time of the year, Bethlehem, the city of the Nativity, stands at the center of attention of the whole world. What the world might overlook as it watches is that the very city where Jesus was born celebrates yet another occupied Christmas. This year, Israel, a self-proclaimed “safe haven” for Christians, has presented to Bethlehem a few unwelcome Christmas gifts. Israel’s Christmas gifts to Bethlehem this year serve towards consolidating the separation between Bethlehem and its twin city, Jerusalem; the city where Jesus was born and the city where he was resurrected – the essence of the Christian faith. Aside from the daily violations that the besieged Bethlehem suffers as a result o