City of Bethlehem

Published by Friends of Sabeel, November 17, 2005

CITY OF BETHLEHEM CALLS THE WORLD’S ATTENTION TO ITS PLIGHT

Imprisoned Bethlehem declares itself open as part of new
international initiative to aid city

The Open Bethlehem Project will be launched in the US today at a news conference at the National Press Club (Thursday, Nov. 17th, 2005, 9-11 am). The initiative is designed to transcend the imprisonment of the city by a combination of the illegal wall and militarised fences, with only two gates to the outside world. Chief Executive, Leila Sansour, makes a particular appeal to Christians worldwide in the lead up to Christmas. “If Christianity can not survive in the birthplace of Christ, it is in jeopardy everywhere. The loss of Bethlehem to the world” says Ms Sansour, “would have a devastating effect on the cause of open democracy in the Middle East and on the relationship between Christian nations and other countries.”

The Mayor, Dr Victor Batarseh, together with Leila Sansour, declares Bethlehem an open city and announce the issuing of a Bethlehem passport to all who are willing to join the struggle for its survival. “We recognise we have to act,” says Ms Sansour. “The passport is a way to ask people to step up to the plate. Invest in Bethlehem, bring projects to the city, or come and live among us -- and you can also be a Bethlehemite.”

The current situation is grim. The walls and fences that encircle Bethlehem have turned this 4,000 year old city into a prison for its 160,000 citizens. The number of tourists visiting Bethlehem has dropped from nearly 92,000 in 2000 to a mere 7,249 in 2004. In the last five years 9.3 per cent of the Christian population of Bethlehem has emigrated. Restaurants, shops and commercial outlets have shrunk and Bethlehem’s economy is threatened.

The Open Bethlehem initiative will issue the passport to friends of Bethlehem as part of a campaign to encourage trade partnerships, investment, tourism, events, and to attract creative opportunities to the city. The core of its message is that Bethlehem is a city of openness and diversity, with a centuries old tradition of welcoming travellers, refugees and pilgrims from across the world.

Open Bethlehem is described by President Jimmy Carter as “a worthy and admirable project.” Supporter Archbishop Desmond Tutu says “it is unconscionable that Bethlehem should be allowed to die slowly from strangulation.” The project also enjoys the backing of, among other influential leaders, the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Archbishop of Jerusalem His Excellency Michel Sabah.

Further information:

Peter G. Bourne TEL: 202-462-7266, pbourne@igc.org
Washington, D.C. 20008

Leila Sansour
Open Bethlehem Project
Bethlehem University
Room 5 Millenium Building
Bethlehem, Palestine
E-mail Openbethlehem@openbethlehem.org

Tel: tel/Fax + 97 2-2274 1241 Ext: 2470

London Representative Office
Victoria Chambers
16-18 Strutton Ground
London, SW1P 2HP

Tel: + 44(0) 207 222 5479



Volume 7 Number 46 - Wednesday, November 23, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY