Bethlehem Today: A State of Emergency

1
Bethlehem Today A State of Emergency
2
People of Bethlehem
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.
3
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 Bethlehems historical diversity, we
represent the interests of all Bethlehems
inhabitants Christians and Muslims alike.
4
Bethlehem in numbers
District Population 170,000 Urban Population
75,000 (inc.14,000 in refugee camps) Refugee
camps 3 Churches 22 Mosques 11
5
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

6
There are few options for residents once they
lost their jobs in tourism. Seeing few prospects
locally, approximately one-tenth of Bethlehems
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)
7
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.
8
A Diocese Divided
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.
9
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.
10
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.
• 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.

11

• 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)

12
The Wall around Bethlehem
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 Bethlehems green-land area,
which sits on a valuable aquifer, and where many
settlements are located, will eventually be
annexed into Israel.
13
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.
14
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 Shepherds Fields in 1996.
He is pictured (right) laying the first stone.
Homes were offered to Bethlehems poorest
Christian families. Azars 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 childrens play area. Nine homes of the 15
planned were built by 2002. Azara family, like
the others, anxious to have their new home, moved
in even before the interiors were completed.
15
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 didnt 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 dont know
what will happen next. The new road is snaking
towards their homes. They dont 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, Azars wife, It is so
stressful. All we can do is keep trying to live
normally and hope for the best.
16
Part of the wall in northern Bethlehem. Acres of
olive groves lie outside the Wall.
17
Settlements
Bethlehemites can see cranes across the skyline
busily building new homes for Jews coming from
Israel and around the world, while Bethlehems
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.
18
Chronology of a settlement
Jebel Abu Ghneim 1997
Har Homa settlement 2003
19
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 Bethlehems land. This land
has either been taken by force or acquired by
coercion. This is a view of Gilo settlement in
the north.
20
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.

• Stats on

Har Homa settlement
21
By-pass roads
Bethlehem is not just surrounded by settlements
and walls. There is also a network of
Israeli-only roads which cut through Bethlehems
land. Israel enforces access and building
restrictions on a buffer-zone area in the
vicinity of these roads.
22
Trips of a few kilometres, 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
23
Vital Bethlehem landmarks will lie outside the
wall. The Cremisan convent and vineyard has been
a central part of Bethlehems history, culture
and economy. The surrounding forest Bethlehems
only surviving recreational forest - will soon
lie beyond the wall.
24
Bethlehems 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.
25
Families Separated
Ten-year-old Ashjan Huzaibi lives in the village
of Al Khas. In October she hadnt seen her
grandmother who lives in the neighbouring
village, Al Nouman, for 4 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.
26
The Wall and its watchtowers slicing through
Bethlehem.
27
The Wall at Aida Camp The wall cuts deep into
residential areas, even surrounding the heavily
populated refugee camps.
28
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.
29
Rubbish gathers by the wall in Aida Camp. Refuse
collection has been severely hampered by closures
at roadblocks, checkpoints and the Wall.
30
Part of this cemetery is lost behind the Wall.
31
Rachels Tomb, a small, attractive shrine to
Abrahams wife and a significant Bethlehem
landmark, has become a military outpost. The
shrine which is sacred to the three faiths is
now forbidden to Bethlehems Christians and
Muslims.
32
Homes and businesses around the tomb have been
confiscated or bought illegally. The Israeli
government officially approved the annexation of
Rachels Tomb in 2002.
33
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 Rachels Tomb area and they have no income to
support a move.
34
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
Rachels Tomb.
35
A section of the corridor leading to Rachels
Tomb this new road is used by settlers and
Israelis to access the tomb.
36
The road to Jerusalem before closure. Since the
wall was built here, 72 out of 80 local
businesses have closed. (UN Report 2004)
37
This Greek Orthodox kindergarten was forced to
close because of its proximity to the wall close
to Rachels Tomb the area was made into a
military zone with a constant army patrol
38
One of the most dangerous new developments that
threaten the city A new settlement around
Rachels Tomb
May 2006
39
The building site for a new settlement in the
heart of Bethlehem at Rachels 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.
40
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.
41
Plans for the settlement at Rachels 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
42
A view of the walls around Rachels Tomb and the
site of the planned settlement. This is Bethlehem
today.
43
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