A
Palestinian city in the West Bank with a vibrant history. Bethlehem is considered by many to be the birthplace of Jesus. It has been home to one of the largest Christian communities in the Arab World for centuries and is a popular spot of tourism. In Arabic Bethlehem is بيت لحم (BAYT LA-hem) and means "city of meat" or "city of bread". It has been under the rule of the Palestinian Authority since 1995, however the city remains vulnerable to increasing Israeli settlements as well as the separation wall Israel is building.
According to the
International Court of Justice, Bethlehem is in Palestine not in Israel, so please stop saying Bethlehem is in Israel when it's not. Study the United Nations Charter and
Geneva Convention if you think otherwise.
Samira went to Bethlehem this Christmas to pray in the Church of
the Nativity and see her family. Unfortunately, the Israeli soldiers would not let her pass through the
checkpoint, so she had to leave two weeks early.