Christmas 2012 in Palestine

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Bethlehem:

Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity:

In the Church of the Nativity:

In the Grotto of the Nativity:

Young Palestinian ladies from Bethlehem in traditional costumes:

Bethlehem wood carver

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

More scenes from Bethlehem:

[Bumbero 130]

Great pictures. Too bad it can't be as peaceful as it seems in the pictures. Thanks for posting them.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

More from Bethlehem...

[OriZ 3,157]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to one and all

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Gaza...

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

East Jerusalem....

Nablus...

Ramallah...

Beit Sahour...

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Great pictures. Too bad it can't be as peaceful as it seems in the pictures. Thanks for posting them.

The City of Peace is under violent and illegal military occupation. Many of the Christians who live there feel they have been forgotten and forsaken by the rest of the world's Christians

But they keep the faith throughout the hardships, and they care for the holy places, and they rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas.

Edited December 25, 2012 by wife_of_mahmoud

[Bumbero 130]

The City of Peace is under violent and illegal military occupation. Many of the Christians who live there feel they have been forgotten and forsaken by the rest of the world's Christians

But they keep the faith throughout the hardships, and they care for the holy places, and they rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas.

I know this is sentimental, but this is Christmas so I could care less if it is. I really hope that someday we can have some sort of peace. Not just between Palestine and Israel but in the Middle East as a whole. I guess I'm just tired of hearing about violence and mass shootings everywhere now a days. So, it was nice to see some amazing photos that actually can brighten someones night. Even though, as you say, they are under violent military and illegal occupation, the smiles don't show it in the pictures.

Merry Christmas!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I know this is sentimental, but this is Christmas so I could care less if it is. I really hope that someday we can have some sort of peace. Not just between Palestine and Israel but in the Middle East as a whole. I guess I'm just tired of hearing about violence and mass shootings everywhere now a days. So, it was nice to see some amazing photos that actually can brighten someones night. Even though, as you say, they are under violent military and illegal occupation, the smiles don't show it in the pictures.

Merry Christmas!

This is exactly how Palestinian Christians feel - that most Christians around the world could not care less about what is actually happening to Bethlehem and the Christians who live there, but would rather have nice warm fuzzy feelings about the holiday that are not interrupted by unpleasant thoughts. The fact that Palestinian Christians are still are able to celebrate Christmas with smiles is a testament to their faith and their strength of character.

I hope you have the chance and the opportunity to visit Bethlehem one day. It is a life-changing experience. Merry Christmas to you and your family

[OriZ 3,157]

This may not be the post to start this but well I'm just replying to what you were saying - making it seem as if the Christian Palestinians suffer only due to the violent and illegal Israeli occupation is wrong on so many levels. The Christians get persecuted by Muslims(as they do in Egypt and many other places). Yes, it is not easy being a Christian Palestinian, but that's not all Israel's fault. And, if you ask any Christian Arab in Israel where would they rather live, in Israel or a Muslim state, most of them would say Israel.

Also, my wife being Catholic would love to visit Bethlehem some day too. Actually I'd love to go with her. But I don't think it will happen any time soon. She's even afraid to. But yes I know it's just cause Israel demonizes the Palestinians.

But on a more positive note I'll join what was said here about the pictures and wish everyone again a merry christmas.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

This may not be the post to start this but well I'm just replying to what you were saying - making it seem as if the Christian Palestinians suffer only due to the violent and illegal Israeli occupation is wrong on so many levels. The Christians get persecuted by Muslims(as they do in Egypt and many other places). Yes, it is not easy being a Christian Palestinian, but that's not all Israel's fault. And, if you ask any Christian Arab in Israel where would they rather live, in Israel or a Muslim state, most of them would say Israel.

Also, my wife being Catholic would love to visit Bethlehem some day too. Actually I'd love to go with her. But I don't think it will happen any time soon. She's even afraid to. But yes I know it's just cause Israel demonizes the Palestinians.

But on a more positive note I'll join what was said here about the pictures and wish everyone again a merry christmas.

I know this story is repeated over and over by Israeli propagandists, but it is not what Palestinian Christians themselves say - they say it's exactly the Israeli occupation and discriminatory policies that make life so difficult for them. They also say they're not being systematically oppressed or persecuted by Palestinian Muslims. Don't you understand that these people are all Palestinian ??? They are one people, and they have been living together in peace - Muslim and Christian Palestinians - for millennia.

Throughout the week the delegation met with local church leaders Patriarch Theophilus III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Rev. Robert Edmunds, representative to the Anglican Bishop Suheil Dawani in Jerusalem.

The leaders told the group that many factors were contributing to the high rates of emigration of Palestinian Christians, and to the suffering of Palestinian people as a whole. These included discriminatory housing policies, the demolition of Palestinian homes to make way for Israeli settlements, high rates of unemployment, and violence from Israeli settlers.

In addition, a strict permit system imposed by the Israeli government severely restricts, or in many cases prohibits, the movement of Palestinians within (and to and from) the West Bank. These restrictions affect all aspects of Palestinian life, making everyday activities like selling farming produce, obtaining access to medical treatment and education and visiting friends and relatives difficult, hazardous and often impossible.

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1634/israeli-occupation-puts-s.html

See also: http://www.kairospalestine.ps/

Of course Christians in Israel would rather stay put in their homes - why would they want to go live under violent and illegal Israeli occupation in the West Bank, where they're at the mercy of soldiers and the bulldozers and the illegal settlers, have few to no rights, no freedom of movement, etc. etc. etc. ??? That doesn't mean they support what Israel is doing - in fact, they are strongly opposed to it.

It's a real shame that your wife was in Israel for years and never took the opportunity to go to Bethlehem. Quite a few Israelis tried to scare me out of going as well (there as well as the whole West Bank in general) - "It's full of terrorists - they hate Americans - if they find out you are American they'll try to kill you or kidnap you - they are all dirty - they are all thieves - why would you want to go to such a horrible place" and all sorts of similar racist horseshite.

But in fact, the Palestinians are very gracious hosts for their visitors, and you would both be warmly welcomed there (well, of course not if you rode in with a bunch of illegal settlers or soldiers ) The trip would have provided many revelations and insights for both of you, as well as been unforgettable as it's such an historic place (even apart from the religious aspect.) I'm very sorry you missed out But maybe next time she is in Israel you will decide to venture out of the bubble...

[rade2rising 205]

wow amazing pics thanks for sharing dear!

[OriZ 3,157]

My wife still is in Israel...we're going back to the states together...the problem is at the moment I would not be able to go there(legally and safely) and she would not go without me, so it might have to wait a few years. We have however been to many other historic places such as Nazareth several times, Jerusalem several times, Capernaum and other places near the sea of Galilee, and many other places that were much easier for us at the moment.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

My wife still is in Israel...we're going back to the states together...the problem is at the moment I would not be able to go there(legally and safely) and she would not go without me, so it might have to wait a few years. We have however been to many other historic places such as Nazareth several times, Jerusalem several times, Capernaum and other places near the sea of Galilee, and many other places that were much easier for us at the moment.

Israeli citizens can go to Bethlehem legally and safely, and many do. You just have to get a permit from the Israeli army first, and these permits are not difficult to get.

Here is one organization that coordinates tours for Israeli citizens to Bethlehem:

https://sites.google.com/site/visitpalestine123/home

Edited December 26, 2012 by wife_of_mahmoud