Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

In his Christmas message to the world, Victor Batarseh called for world peace and goodwill between peoples. Okay, not really. Arutz Sheva reports.

Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarseh lashed out at Israel this week at a tree-lighting ceremony in honor of the Christmas holiday. He accused Israel of cutting Bethlehem off from “its twin city Jerusalem” and called for international sanctions.

“Trade sanctions, sports sanctions, educational sanctions, cultural sanctions. Sanctions are the only way,” he said. Batarseh added that it would be “a waste of time” to negotiate with Israel.

He also accused Israel of profiting off tourism to Bethlehem. While tourists visit Bethlehem during the day, most return to Jerusalem to spend the night.

I guess that nothing has changed in 2000 plus years: there's not a lot of room at the Inn. In fact, Victor should work a bit more to build consumer confidence that foreigners and religious pilgrims will be welcome, let alone safe should they decide to stay.

Batarseh's criticism followed one of Bethlehem's best years for tourism. A record 1.4 million tourists visited the city in 2010, and another 90,000 are expected to arrive during the Christmas holidays.

Israel has worked to boost tourism to Bethlehem by coordinating with the PA to ease travel. Among other things, the Tourism Ministry has arranged for free shuttle transport between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. In addition, Israeli and PA tourism officials have cooperated on promoting tourism to the city.

The increase in tourism has been a major boost to the Bethlehem economy. Tourist shops and restaurant owners report increased profits, hotels are filled to capacity, and new hotels are planned.

Alas, Bethlehem's Christian attractions have become exactly that. The local Christian population of Bethlehem has been steadily declining over the last 20 years from 60 to 15 percent. But more importantly, the political and social climate of the city has changed considerably since Victor and his political party, Bethlehem Brotherhood and Development, took swept the municipal elections in 2005. Israel Today (July 2005) reported the city's Christian reaction to the election at the time.

Islam is now the predominant force in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christianity! This dramatic development occurred when the Islamic terrorist group Hamas, which is best known for blowing men, women and children to pieces in Israeli buses and restaurants, won a majority in Palestinian municipal elections in the Biblical town.
“Bethlehem is no longer our city,” a Palestinian Christian businessman, who asked to remain anonymous, told israel today. “Bethlehem has become a dangerous stronghold of Islamic militants.”

Under laws established by the late Yasser Arafat when the Palestinian Authority took control of Bethlehem in 1995, only a Greek Orthodox or Catholic Christian can be mayor of Bethlehem, so Hamas could not field its own candidate. No problem! Hamas simply installed a “Christian” ally, Walid Victor Batarseh, 70, an atheist and Marxist from the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Batarseh replaces Hanna Nasser, a moderate Christian who supported peaceful coexistence with Israel. By contrast, Batarseh is suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. His attorney is a member of Hamas and his organization, the PFLP, was behind the assassination of Israeli Cabinet Minister Rehavam Ze’evi, who was gunned down in Jerusalem in 2002. “This was legitimate retaliation for Israeli state terror,” said Batarseh.

The growing Islamic militancy in Jesus’ hometown is driving Christians out. “It is becoming impossible for Christians to live under the extremist Hamas-led government in Bethlehem,” said George, an Arab Christian who asked us not to use his full name. It was only because of our long friendship that George, whose family has lived in Bethlehem for centuries, agreed to speak to me.

“We have lost all hope of living here in Bethlehem,” he said, adding that Christians are moving to quieter pastures in Europe, the US, South America and Australia. “Batarseh is not a Christian, but an envoy of Islamic militants! I simply don’t understand how the Christian world watches the Moslems take over Bethlehem and does nothing. Where is Christian Europe? Likewise, Palestinian Christian clergy are also silent. Can you imagine the uproar if the tables were turned, if Christians took over Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed?”

In all fairness, it should be noted that Victor's message has been consistent with the PA/FATAH party line since he became Bethlehem's mayor. The Palestinian Media Center carries Victor's first Christmas greetings to the world from December 23, 2005.

As the newly elected mayor of Bethlehem, I feel proud and privileged. Though it is little in size, it is one of the most famous cities on earth. Bethlehem is a name that lives in the hearts of millions of people. It signifies love, hope and peace for mankind.

It is true we do not have skyscrapers in Bethlehem, but we have the formidable Church of the Nativity, the place where it all started. We do not have natural resources, but we have the holy manger, the source of spiritual fulfillment and nourishment. We do not possess modern technology and satellites, but we have the star of the Nativity, the beacon that has embodied hope in the minds of all believers.

Our history is full of inspirational stories but also of bad times. The bad times under the recent Israeli aggression have led to enormous pain and suffering for Bethlehem and to unprecedented deterioration in its situation.

From where it all started? You mean the House of David, King of Israel? Or Boaz and Ruth the Convert from Moav?

Anyway, to Victor and all my neighbors in Bethlehem, Season's Greetings and God's Blessings.