BETHLEHEM, West Bank, DEC. 11, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- The mayor of Bethlehem appealed to Christians to come to celebrate Christmas in the city revered as Jesus' birthplace, despite weeks of violence that has scared tourists away, Reuters reported today.
«We call upon pilgrims to come on this date because all the rumors about the cancellation of Christmas in Bethlehem are ridiculous,» Mayor Hanna Nasser said in an interview in his office overlooking Manger Square.
Hotels were empty, souvenir shops were deserted and there were no tourist buses to be seen in Bethlehem, nearly 11 weeks since the start of a Palestinian uprising for independence in which more than 300 people have been killed, Reuters noted.
Israeli soldiers were blocking roads into the city as part of a closure of Palestinian towns which the Jewish state says is needed for security reasons after bomb attacks, and which the Palestinians call collective punishment for the uprising, Reuters said.
Nasser said Christmas celebrations this year would be low key, but would still go ahead Dec. 24. Bethlehem is «safe and secure,» he told Reuters.
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
11. desember 2000