Bethlehem 4312 225845881 2008-07-15T17:50:14Z Aridd 574532 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225821789 by [[Special:Contributions/86.134.93.11|86.134.93.11]] ([[User talk:86.134.93.11|talk]]) {{about|the city in the [[West Bank]]}} {{Infobox Palestinian Authority muni |name=Bethlehem |image=Belen palestina.jpg |imgsize=250 |caption=A neighborhood in Bethlehem |arname=بيت لحم |meaning=''house of meat'' (Arabic); ''house of bread'' (Hebrew) |founded= |type=muna |typefrom=1995 |altOffSp=Beit Lahm<ref name="PCBS">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop10.aspx |title=Projected Mid -Year Population for Bethlehem Governorate by Locality 2004- 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-22 |format= |work=Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics}}</ref> |altUnoSp=Bayt Laham |governorate=bl |population=29,930<ref name="PCBS"/> |popyear=2006 |area= |areakm= |latd=31 |latm=42 |lats=11 |latNS=N |longd=35 |longm=11|longs=44 |longEW=E |mayor=[[Victor Batarseh]] }} '''Bethlehem''' ({{lang-ar|'''بيت لحم'''}}, {{Audio|ArBethlehem.ogg|''Bayt Laḥm''}}, lit "House of Meat"; {{lang-gr|Βηθλεέμ}} ''Bethleém;'' {{lang-he|בית לחם}}, ''Beit Lehem'', lit "House of Bread") is a [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] city in the central [[West Bank]], approximately {{km to mi|10}} south of [[Jerusalem]], with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the [[Bethlehem Governorate]] of the [[Palestinian National Authority]] and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/travel/16westbank.html+ |title=In the West Bank, Politics and Tourism Remain Bound Together Inextricably - New York Times |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref><ref name="BH">{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehemhotel.com/bethlehem.htm |title=Places to Visit In & Around Bethlehem - Bethlehem Hotel -|accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> According to the [[New Testament]], Bethlehem is the birthplace of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]]. The town is inhabited by one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, though the size of the community has shrunk in recent years due to emigration.<ref name="Day">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=423126&in_page_id=1770 |title=O, Muslim town of Bethlehem... |work=the Daily Mail |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> The city is also believed to be the birthplace of [[David]] and the location where he was crowned as the king of Israel. The city was sacked by the [[Samaritan]]s in 529 AD, during their revolt, but was rebuilt by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor [[Justinian I]]. Bethlehem was conquered by the [[Rashidun|Arab Caliphate]] of [[Umar|'Umar ibn al-Khattāb]] in 637, who guaranteed safety for the city's religious shrines. In 1099, Crusaders captured and fortified Bethlehem and replaced its [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] clergy with a [[Roman Catholicism|Latin]] one. The Latin clergy were expelled after the city was captured by [[Saladin]], the [[sultan]] of [[Egypt]] and [[Syria]]. With the coming of the [[Mamluk]]s in 1250, the city's walls were demolished, and were subsequently rebuilt during the rule of the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name="BMH">{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/City/index.php |title=History of Bethlehem |publisher=Bethlehem Municipality |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> The Ottomans lost the city to the [[United Kingdom|British]] during [[World War I]] and it was to be included in an [[Corpus seperatum|international zone]] under the 1947 [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine]]. [[Jordan]] occupied the city in the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]], and it was subsequently occupied by [[Israel]] in the 1967 [[Six Day War]]. Israel has retained control over the entrances and exits to Bethlehem, though day-to-day administration has been under the purview of the [[Palestinian National Authority]] since 1995.<ref name="BMH"/> Modern Bethlehem has a [[Muslim]] majority but is also home to one of the largest [[Palestinian Christian]] communities.<ref name="Day"/> The Bethlehem [[agglomeration]] includes the towns of [[Beit Jala]] and [[Beit Sahour]], as well as the [[Palestinian refugee camps|refugee camps]] of [[Aida (camp)|'Aida]] and [[Azza]]. Bethlehem's dominant economic sector is tourism which is particularly high during the [[Christmas]] season as the city is a Christian pilgrimage center, being home of the [[Church of the Nativity]]. Bethlehem has over thirty hotels and three hundred handicraft work shops, employing several of the city's residents.<ref name="Patience">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7146980.stm |first=Martin |last=Patience |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Better times return to Bethlehem |publisher=BBC MMVIII |date=[[2007-12-22]] |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> [[Rachel's Tomb]], an important Jewish holy site, is located at the entrance of Bethlehem. ==History== ===Biblical era=== Bethlehem, located in the "hill country" of [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]], may be the same as the Biblical [[Ephrath]],<ref>{{bibleverse||Gen.|35:16}}, {{bibleverse||Gen.|48:27}}, {{bibleverse||Ruth|4:11}}</ref> which means "fertile": There is a possible reference to it as Beth-Lehem Ephratah.<ref>{{bibleverse||Micah|5:2}}</ref> It is also known as Beth-Lehem Judah,<ref>{{bibleverse||Sam|17:12}}</ref> and "the city of David".<ref name = "qjukjz">{{bibleverse||Luke|2:4|KJV}}</ref> It is first mentioned in the Tanakh and the Bible as the place where the Abrahamic matriarch [[Rachel]] died and was buried "by the wayside" (Gen. 48:7). [[Rachel's Tomb]], the traditional grave site, stands at the entrance to Bethlehem. According to the Book of Ruth, the valley to the east is where [[Book of Ruth|Ruth]] of [[Moab]] gleaned the fields and returned to town with [[Naomi (Bible)|Naomi]]. Bethlehem is the traditional birthplace of [[David (biblical king)|David]], the second king of [[Land of Israel|Israel]], and the place where he was anointed king by [[Samuel (Bible)|Samuel]].<ref>{{bibleverse||Sam|16:4-13}}</ref> It was from the well of Bethlehem that three of his warriors brought him water when he was hiding in the cave of [[Adullam]].<ref>{{bibleverse||Sam|23:13-17}}</ref> ===Birthplace of Jesus=== {{see|Church of the Nativity|Nativity of Jesus}} [[Image:Jesus birthplace in Bethlehem.jpg|thumb|right|Silver star marking the place where Jesus was born according to Christian tradition]] Two accounts in the [[New Testament]] describe [[Jesus]] as born in Bethlehem. According to the [[Gospel of Luke]],<ref name = "qjukjz"/> [[Jesus]]'s parents lived in [[Nazareth]] but traveled to Bethlehem for [[Census of Quirinius|the census of 6 AD]], and Jesus was born there before the family returned to Nazareth. The [[Gospel of Matthew]] account implies that the family already lived in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, and later moved to Nazareth.<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|2:1-23|KJV}}</ref><ref>Geza Vermes, ''The Nativity: History and Legend'', London, Penguin, 2006, page 64.</ref> Matthew reports that [[Herod the Great]], told that a 'King of the Jews' has been born in Bethlehem, ordered the killing of all the children aged two and under in the town and surrounding areas. Jesus's earthly father [[Joseph (Hebrew Bible)|Joseph]] is warned of this in a dream, and the family escapes this fate by fleeing to Egypt and returning only after Herod has died. But being warned in another dream not to return to Judea, Joseph withdraws the family to [[Galilee]], and goes to live in Nazareth Early Christians interpreted a verse in the [[Book of Micah]]<ref>{{bibleverse||Micah|5:2|KJV}}</ref> as a prophecy of the birth of the [[Messiah]] in Bethlehem.<ref>Edwin D. Freed, Stories of Jesus' Birth, (Continuum International, 2004) page 77.</ref> Many modern scholars question whether Jesus was really born in Bethlehem, and suggest that the different Gospel accounts were invented to present the birth of Jesus as fulfillment of prophecy and imply a connection to the lineage of King David.<ref>Geza Vermes, The Nativity: History and Legend, London, Penguin, 2006, p22</ref><ref>E. P. Sanders, ''The Historical Figure of Jesus'', 1993, p.85</ref><ref>John Dominic Crossan, Richard G. Watts, ''Who Is Jesus?: Answers to Your Questions About the Historical Jesus'', Westminster John Knox Press, page 19.</ref><ref>James D. G. Dunn, Jesus Remembered: Christianity in the Making, (Eerdmans, 2003), page 344-345.</ref> The [[Gospel of Mark]] and the [[Gospel of John]] do not include a nativity narrative or any hint that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and refer to him only as being from Nazareth.<ref>Watson E. Mills, Roger Aubrey Bullard, ''Mercer Dictionary of the Bible'', Volume 5: Mercer University Press (1990), page 445 - 446. See [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6:1-4 Mark 6:1-4]; and [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1:46 John 1:46]</ref>. In a 2005 article in [[Archaeology (magazine)|''Archaeology'']] magazine, archaeologist Aviram Oshri pointed to the absence of evidence of settlement of the area at the time when Jesus was born,<ref>Aviram Oshri, "Where was Jesus Born?", ''Archaeology'', Volume 58 Number 6, November/December 2005.</ref> although that has been disputed by many other scholars in the field.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The antiquity of the tradition of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem is attested by the Christian apologist [[Justin Martyr]] (c. 100 - 165), who noted in his ''Dialogue with Trypho'' that the [[Holy Family]] had taken refuge in a cave outside of town: <blockquote>Joseph ... took up his quarters in a certain cave near the village; and while they were there Mary brought forth the Christ and placed Him in a manger, and here the Magi who came from Arabia found Him.(chapter LXXVIII).</blockquote> [[Origen]] of Alexandria ([[185]] AD–ca. [[254]]) wrote: <blockquote>In Bethlehem the cave is pointed out where He was born, and the manger in the cave where He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. And the rumor is in those places, and among foreigners of the Faith, that indeed Jesus was born in this cave who is worshipped and reverenced by the Christians. (''[[Contra Celsum]]'', book I, chapter LI).</blockquote> The first [[basilica]] on this site was begun by [[Helena of Constantinople|Saint Helena]], the mother of the Emperor [[Constantine I]]. Under the supervision of Bishop [[Makarios of Jerusalem]], the construction was completed in [[333]], and became what is known today as the Basilica of the Nativity. ===Roman and Byzantine periods=== [[Image:Nativity vorobiev.jpg|thumb|right|View of Church of the Nativity in 1833, painting by M.N.Vorobiev]] Between 132-135 the city was occupied by the Romans after its capture during the [[Bar Kokhba Revolt]]. Its Jewish residents were expelled by the military orders of [[Hadrian]].<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/bethlehem74/history.htm History of Bethlehem] Bethlehem Homepage</ref> While ruling Bethlehem, the Romans built a shrine to the mythical [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] cult figure [[Adonis]] on the site of the Nativity. A church was erected in 326, when [[Helena of Constantinople|Helena]], the mother of the first [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor [[Constantine I (emperor)|Constantine]], visited Bethlehem.<ref name="BMH"/> During the [[Samaritan]] revolt of 529, Bethlehem was sacked and its walls and the Church of the Nativity destroyed, but they were soon rebuilt on the orders of the Emperor [[Justinian I]]. In 614, the [[Sassanid Empire|Persian Sassanid Empire]] invaded [[Palestine]] and captured Bethlehem. A story recounted in later sources holds that they refrained from destroying the church on seeing the [[magi]] depicted in [[Persian art|Persian]] clothing in a mosaic.<ref name="BMH"/> ===Islamic rule and the Crusades=== [[Image:Bethlehem-Manger-Square.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Mosque of Omar (Bethlehem)|Mosque of Omar (Umar)]] was built in 1860 to commemorate the [[Caliph]] [[Umar]]'s visit to Bethlehem upon its capture by the [[Muslim]]s. It is Bethlehem's only mosque]] In 637, shortly after [[Siege of Jerusalem (637)|Jerusalem was captured]] by the [[Rashidun army|Muslim armies]], [[Umar|'Umar ibn al-Khattāb]], the second [[Caliph]] visited Bethlehem and promised that the Church of the Nativity would be preserved for Christian use.<ref name="BMH"/> A [[Mosque of Omar (Bethlehem)|mosque]] dedicated to Umar was built upon the place in the city where he prayed, next to the church.<ref name="ATT">{{cite web |url=http://www.atlastours.net/holyland/mosque_of_omar.html |title=Mosque of Omar, Bethlehem |publisher=Atlas Travel and Tourist Agency |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> Bethlehem then passed from the control of the Islamic caliphates of the [[Rashidun]], the [[Ummayad]]s, [[Abbasid]]s and the [[Fatimid]]s. In 1009, during the reign of the sixth Fatimid Caliph [[al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah]], the Church of the Nativity was demolished under his orders. It was soon rebuilt by his successor [[Ali az-Zahir]] to mend relations between the Fatimids and the Byzantine Empire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nmhschool.org/tthornton/mehistorydatabase/persian.php |title=Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine Eras |publisher=History of the Middle East Database |date[[2007-12-05]] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> In 1099, Bethlehem was captured by the [[First Crusade|Crusaders]], who fortified it and built a new monastery and cloister on the north side of the Church of the Nativity. The [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] clergy were removed from their Sees and replaced with [[Roman Catholic|Latin]] clerics. Up until that point the official Christian presence in the region was Greek Orthodox. On Christmas Day 1100 [[Baldwin I of Jerusalem|Baldwin I]], first king of the Frankish [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]], was crowned in Bethlehem, and that year a Latin episcopate was also established in the town.<ref name="BMH"/> [[Image:Bethlehem Polenov.jpg|thumb|right|A painting of Bethlehem, 1882]] In 1187, [[Saladin]], the Sultan of [[Egypt]] and [[Syria]] who led the [[Ayyubid Dynasty|Muslim Ayyubids]], captured Bethlehem from the Crusaders. The Latin clerics were forced to leave, allowing the Greek Orthodox clergy to return. Saladin agreed to the return of two Latin priests and two deacons in 1192. However, Bethlehem suffered from the loss of the pilgrim trade, as there was a sharp decrease of [[Europe]]an pilgrims.<ref name="BMH"/> [[William IV, Count of Nevers]] had promised the Christian bishops of Bethlehem that if Bethlehem should fall under Muslim control, he would welcome them in the small town of [[Clamecy, Nievre|Clamecy]] in present-day [[Burgundy]], [[France]]. As such, The Bishop of Bethlehem duly took up residence in the hospital of Panthenor, Clamecy in 1223. Clamecy remained the continuous '[[in partibus infidelium]]' seat of the Bishopric of Bethlehem for almost 600 years, until the [[French Revolution]] in 1789.<ref>de Sivry, L: "Dictionnaire de Geographie Ecclesiastique", page 375., 1852 ed, from ecclesiastical record of letters between the Bishops of Bethlehem 'in partibus' to the bishops of Auxerre</ref> Bethlehem — along with Jerusalem, [[Nazareth]] and [[Sidon]] — was briefly ceded to the Crusader [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]] by a treaty between [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] and Ayyubid Sultan [[al-Kamil]] in 1229, in return for a ten-year truce between the Ayyubids and the Crusaders. The treaty expired in 1239 and Bethlehem was recaptured by the Muslims in 1244.<ref>{{cite book |first=Peirs |last=Paul Read |title=The Templars |publisher=Macmillan |year=2000 |pages=206 |isbn=0312266588 |accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> In 1250, with the coming to power of the [[Mamluk]]s under [[Rukn al-Din Baibars]], tolerance of Christianity declined; the clergies left the city, and in 1263 the town walls were demolished. The Latin clergy returned to Bethlehem the following century, establishing themselves in the monastery adjoining the Basilica of the Nativity. The Greek Orthodox were given control of the basilica and shared control of the Milk Grotto with the Latins and the [[Armenian Orthodox Church|Armenians]].<ref name="BMH"/> ===Ottoman and Egyptian era=== [[Image:Bethlehem street 1880.jpg|thumb|right|A crowded street in Bethlehem, 1880]] [[Image:Bethlehem 1898.jpg|thumb|right|View of Bethlehem, 1898]] From 1517, during the years of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] control, custody of the Basilica was bitterly disputed between the Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.<ref name="BMH"/> From 1831 to 1841, Palestine was under the rule [[Muhammad Ali Dynasty]] of [[Egypt]]. During this period, the town suffered an earthquake as well as the destruction of the Muslim quarter by Egyptian troops, apparently as a reprisal for the murder of a favored loyalist of [[Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt|Ibrahim Pasha]]. In 1841, Bethlehem came under Ottoman rule once more and remained so until the end of the [[World War I]]. Under the Ottomans, Bethlehem's inhabitants faced unemployment, [[compulsory military service]] and heavy taxes, resulting in mass emigration particularly to [[South America]].<ref name="BMH"/> ===Twentieth century=== As a result of their victory in World War I, the Allies, particularly Britain and France, divided the captured Ottoman provinces into mandates. On [[September 29]], [[1923]] Bethlehem and the majority of the territory west of the Jordan River fell under the control of the [[British Mandate of Palestine]]. In the [[United Nations General Assembly]]'s [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine|1947 resolution to partition Palestine]], Bethlehem was included in the special [[Corpus separatum|international enclave of Jerusalem]] to be administered by the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imeu.net/news/article00125.shtml |title=IMEU: Maps: 2.7 - Jerusalem and the Corpus Separatum proposed in 1947 |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> [[Jordan]] occupied the city during the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]].<ref>[http://www.insideout.org/documentaries/jerusalem/land/timeline2.html A Jerusalem Timeline, 3,000 Years of The City's History] (2001-02) [[National Public Radio]] and [[BBC News]]</ref> Many refugees from areas captured by [[Israeli]] forces in 1947-48 fled to the Bethlehem area, primarily settling in the what became the official refugee camps of [[Azza|'Azza (Beit Jibrin)]] and [[Aida (camp)|'Aida]] in the north and [[Dheisheh]] in the south.<ref>[http://www.bethlehem.ps/about/ About Bethlehem] The Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation via Bethlehem.ps</ref> The influx of refugees significantly transformed Bethlehem's Christian majority into a Muslim one.<ref>[http://www.bethlehem.ps/facts/population.php Population in the Bethlehem District] Bethlehem.ps</ref> Jordan retained control of the city until the [[Six-Day War]] in 1967, when Bethlehem was occupied by Israel, along with the rest of the [[West Bank]]. On [[December 21]], [[1995]], Israeli troops withdrew from Bethlehem,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.passia.org/palestine_facts/chronology/19941995.htm |title=Palestine Facts Timeline: 1994-1995 |publisher=[[Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs]] |accessdate=2008-03-29}}</ref> and three days later the city came under the complete administration and military control of the [[Palestinian National Authority]] in conformance with the [[Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/EVENTS/seasons_greetings/bethlehem_celebration/ |title=Muslims, Christians celebrate in Bethlehem |first=Jerrold |last=Kessel |work=[[CNN News]] |publisher=Cable News Network |date=[[1995-12-24]] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> ===Second Intifada=== [[Image:Bethlehem-cathchurch.JPG|right|thumb|Marks of [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] bullets can be seen in the upper left corner where the siege took place]] During the [[Second Intifada|Second Palestinian Intifada]], which began in 2000-01, Bethlehem's infrastructure and tourism industry was severely damaged.<ref name=OCHA>{{cite web|title=Costs of Conflict: The Changing Face of Bethlehem|publisher=United Nations|author=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) & Office of the Special Coordinator for the Peace Process in the Middle East|date=December 2004|url=http://www.miftah.org/Doc/Reports/2004/Beth_Rep_Dec04_En.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7146980.stm |title=Better times return to Bethlehem | Middle East |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=BBC MMVII |date=[[2007-12-22]] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> In 2002, it was a primary combat zone in [[Operation Defensive Shield]], a major military offensive by the [[Israeli Defense Forces]] (IDF).<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1916580.stm |title=Vatican outrage over church siege |publisher=BBC MMIII |work=[[BBC News]] |date=[[2002-04-08]] |accessdate=2008-03-29}}</ref> During the operation, the IDF [[Siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem|besieged the Church of the Nativity]], where about 200 Palestinians, including a group of militants, sought refuge amid IDF advancements into the city. The siege lasted for thirty nine days and nine militants and the church's bellringer were killed. It ended with an agreement to exile thirteen of the wanted militants to various European nations and [[Mauritania]]. Pope [[John Paul II]] condemned Israel's actions, describing them as reaching "unimaginable and intolerable" levels and the United Kingdom's foreign ministry stated they were "totally unacceptable".<ref name="BBC"/> ==Geography== [[Image:Bethlehem Location.png|thumb|right|220px|A map indicating Bethlehem's location]] Bethlehem stands at an elevation of about {{m to ft|775}} above sea level, {{m to ft|30}} higher than nearby [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pnic.gov.ps/english/tourism/tour7.html#file2|title=Tourism In Bethlehem Governorate|work=Palestinian National Information Center}}</ref> Bethlehem is situated on the southern portion in the [[Judean Mountains]]. The city is located {{km to mi|73}} northeast of [[Gaza]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]], {{km to mi|75}} west of [[Amman]], [[Jordan]], {{km to mi|59}} southeast of [[Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]] and {{km to mi|10}} south of Jerusalem.<ref>[http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=1048&p2=676 Distance from Bethlehem to Tel Aviv], [http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=1048&p2=702 Distance from Bethlehem to Gaza] Time and Date AS / Steffen Thorsen</ref> Nearby cities and towns include [[Beit Safafa]] and Jerusalem to the north, [[Beit Jala]] to the northwest, [[Husan]] to the west, [[al-Khader (town)|al-Khadr]] and [[Artas (village)|Artas]] to the southwest, and [[Beit Sahour]] to the east. Beit Jala and the latter form an agglomeration with Bethlehem and the [[Aida (camp)|Aida]] and [[Azza]] refugee camps are located within the city limits.<ref>[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9b/Thameenmap3.jpg Detailed map of the West Bank] </ref> ===Old city=== In the center of Bethlehem, is its old city. The old city consists of eight quarters, laid out in a mosaic style, forming the area around the Manger Square. The quarters, include the Christian al-Najajreh, al-Farahiyeh, al-Anatreh, al-Tarajmeh, al-Qawawsa and Hreizat quarters and al-Fawaghreh — the only Muslim quarter.<ref name="BPS">[http://www.bethlehem.ps/cultural_sites/towns_in_bethlehem/7.php Bethlehem’s Quarters] Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation</ref> Most of the Christian quarters are named after the Arab [[Ghassanid]] clans that settled there.<ref>[http://www.med-voices.org/pages/showresource.aspx?id=1206&lang=0 Clans -2] Mediterranean Voices: Oral History and Cultural Practice in Mediterranean Cities</ref> Al-Qawawsa Quarter was formed by Arab Christian emigrants from the nearby town of [[Tuqu']] in the 18th century.<ref name="Zeiter">[http://www.bethlehem.ps/cultural_sites/natural_heritage/tqoa.php Tqoa’ area] Zeiter, Leila. Centre for Preservation of Culture and History.</ref> There is also a [[Syriac]] quarter outside of the old city,<ref name="BPS"/> whose inhabitants originate from [[Midyat]] in [[Kurdistan]].<ref>[http://www.stern-von-bethlehem.de/english/bato_eng.html Short Overview of the Bato Family] BatoFamily.com</ref> The total population of the old city is about 5,000.<ref name="BPS"/> ==Climate== Bethlehem has a [[Mediterranean climate]], with hot and dry summers and cold winters. Temperatures in the winter season, from mid-December to mid-March, could be cold and rainy. January is the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 1&nbsp;to&nbsp;13&nbsp;degree Celsius (33°&ndash;55&nbsp;°F). From May through September, the weather is warm and sunny. August is the hottest month, with a high of 27 degrees Celsius (81°&ndash;63&nbsp;°F). Bethlehem receives an average of {{mm to in|700}} of rainfall annually, 70% between November and January.<ref name="BMC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/City/GeneralInfo/index.php|title=Bethlehem City: Climate|work=Bethlehem Municipality}}</ref> Bethlehem's average annual relative [[humidity]] is 60% and reaches its highest rates between January and February. Humidity levels are at their lowest in May. Night dew may occur in up to 180 days per year. The city is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea breeze that occurs around mid-day. However, Bethlehem is affected also by annual waves of hot, dry, sandy and dust ''Khamaseen'' winds that originate from the [[Arabian Desert]], during April, May and mid-June.<ref name="BMC"/> == Demographics == ===Population=== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" |- ! Year ! Population |----- | 1945 || align="center" |8,820<ref>{{cite web |first=Sami |last=Hadawi |authorlink=Sami Hadawi |lpublisher=Palestine Liberation Organization - Research Center|title= Village Statistics of 1945: A Classification of Land and Area ownership in Palestine |url=http://www.palestineremembered.com/download/VillageStatistics/Table%20I/Jerusalem/Page-056.jpg}}</ref> |----- | 1961 || align="center" | 22,450 |----- | 1983 || align="center" | 16,300<ref>Census by [[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]]</ref> |----- | 1997 || align="center" | 21,930<ref name="PCBSCensus">[http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/phc_97/bet_t1.aspx Palestinian Population by Locality, Sex and Age Groups in Years: Bethlehem Governorate] (1997) [[Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics]]. Accessed on [[2007-12-23]].</ref> |----- | 2004 (Projected) || align="center" | 28,010 |----- | 2005 (Projected) || align="center" | 29,020 |----- | 2006 (Projected) || align="center" | 29,930 |----- |} According to a PCBS estimate, Bethlehem had a population of 29,930 in mid-year 2006.<ref name="PCBS"/> In the PCBS's 1997 census, the city had a population of 21,670, including a total of 6,570 [[Palestinian refugees|refugees]], accounting for 30.3% of the city's population.<ref name="PCBSCensus"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/_PCBS/census/phc_97/bet_t6.aspx |title=Palestinian Population by Locality and Refugee Status |accessdate=2008-01-22 |publisher=[[Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> In 1998, the religious makeup of the city was 67% [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] and 33% [[Christian]], mostly of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic denominations.<ref name="AP">{{cite book|author=Andrea Pacini|title=Socio-Political and Community Dynamics of Arab Christians in Jordan, Israel, and the Autonomous Palestinian Territories|pages=p.&nbsp;282|publisher=Clarendon Press|date=1998|isbn=0-19-829388-7}}</ref> In 2005, the total Christian population decreased to about 20%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=%5CCulture%5Carchive%5C200505%5CCUL20050519b.html+ |title=Bethlehem Christians Worry About Islamic Takeover in Jesus' Birthplace |date=[[2005-05-19]] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> Despite [[Islam]] being Bethlehem's dominant religion, the only [[Mosque|Muslim house of worship]] in the city is the [[Mosque of Omar (Bethlehem)|Mosque of Omar]] located in the Manger Square.<ref name="ATT"/> In 1997, the age distribution of Bethlehem's inhabitants was 27.4% under the age of 10, 20% from 10 to 19, 17.3% from 20-29, 17.7% from 30 to 44, 12.1% from 45-64 and 5.3% above the age of 65. There were 11,079 males and 10,594 females.<ref name="PCBSCensus"/> ===Christian population=== {{seealso|Palestinian Christian}} The majority of Bethlehem's Christian inhabitants claim ancestry from [[Arab Christian]] clans from the [[Arabian Peninsula]], including the city's two largest: al-Farahiyya and an-Najajreh. The former claims to have descended from the [[Ghassanid]]s who migrated from [[Yemen]] to the [[Wadi Musa]] area in present-day [[Jordan]] and an-Najajreh descend from the Arabs of [[Najran]] in the southern [[Hejaz]]. Another Bethlehem clan, al-Anantreh, also trace their ancestry to the Arabian Peninsula.<ref>[http://admusallam.bethlehem.edu/bethlehem/beth-hlccni.htm Bethlehem, The Holy Land’s Collective Cultural National Identity: A Palestinian Arab Historical Perspective] Musallam, Adnan. [[Bethlehem University]].</ref> The percentage of Christians in Bethlehem has been steadily falling, primarily due to continuous emigration. The lower birth rate among Christians as compared to Muslims also accounts for some of the decline. In 1947, Christians made up 75% of the population, but by 1998 this figure had dropped to 33%.<ref name="AP"/> The current mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. [[Victor Batarseh]] told the [[Voice of America]] that, "due to the stress, either physical or psychological, and the bad economic situation, many people are emigrating, either Christians or Muslims, but it is more apparent among Christians, because they already are a minority."<ref>{{cite news|title=Christians Disappearing in the Birthplace of Jesus|author=Jim Teeple|publisher=Voice of America|date=[[24 December]] [[2005]]|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2005-12/2005-12-24-voa17.cfm?CFID=43253380&CFTOKEN=44091067}}</ref></blockquote> Palestinian Authority rule following the Interim Agreements is officially committed to equality for Bethlehem area Christians, although there have been a few incidents of violence against them by the [[Preventive Security Service]] and militant factions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp490.htm|publisher=[[Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs]]|title=The Beleaguered Christians of the Palestinian-Controlled Areas: Official PA Domination of Christians|author=David Raab|date=[[5 January]][[2003]]}}</ref> The outbreak of the [[Second Intifada]] and the resultant decrease in tourism has also affected the Christian minority, leaving many economically stricken as they are the owners of many Bethlehem hotels and services which cater to foreign tourists.<ref name="Day"/> A statistical analysis of why Christians are leaving the area blamed the lack of economic and educational opportunities, especially due to the Christians' middle-class status and higher education.<ref> {{cite journal|title=Palestinian Christianity – A Study in Religion and Politics|journal=International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church|date=July 2005|first=Leonard|last=Marsh|coauthors=|volume=57|issue=7|pages=147–66|id= |url=|format=|accessdate= }}</ref> A 2006 poll of Bethlehem's Christians conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Research and Cultural Dialogue, found that 90% reported having Muslim friends, 73.3% agreed that the Palestinian National Authority treats Christian heritage in the city with respect and 78% attributed the ongoing exodus of Christians from Bethlehem to the Israeli travel restrictions in the area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Americans not sure where Bethlehem is, survey shows|publisher=[[Ekklesia]]|date=2006-12-20|accessdate=2007-05-07|url=http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_061220bethlehem.shtml}}</ref> The [[Hamas]] government's official position has been to support the city's Christian population, though the party has been criticized by some anonymous residents for increasing the Islamic presence in the city by, for example, activating the call to prayer at a previously unused local mosque in a Christian neighborhood. Under Hamas, the Christian population has continued to suffer from a lack of law and order which has left it susceptible to land theft by local mafia who take advantage of ineffective courts and the perception that the Christian population is less likely to stand up for itself.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1164881946344&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|publisher=[[Jerusalem Post]]|title=Is Christianity dying in Bethlehem?|author=Joerg Luyken|date=[[21 December]][[2006]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1167467807655&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|publisher=[[Jerusalem Post]]|title=Bethlehem Christians fear neighbors|author=[[Khaled Abu Toameh]]|date=[[January 25]][[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Palestinian Christians Look Back on a Year of Troubles|publisher=[[New York Times]]|date=[[2007-03-11]]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/world/middleeast/11christians.html?_r=1&oref=slogin}}</ref> == Economy == [[Image:BethlehemShuq.JPG|right|thumb|Central Bethlehem]] ===Shopping and industry=== Shopping is a major sector in Bethlehem, especially during the [[Christmas]] season. The city's main streets and old markets are lined with shops selling handicrafts, [[Middle East]]ern spices, jewelry and oriental sweets such as [[baklava|baklawa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/City/GeneralInfo/Shopping.php+ |title=Bethlehem Municipality(Site Under Construction) |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> The tradition of making [[Palestinian handicrafts|handicrafts]] in the city dates back to its founding. Numerous shops in Bethlehem sell olive wood carvings — for which the city is renowned — made from the local olive groves.<ref name="BethTour">{{cite web|url=http://www.travelershub.com/destination_guide/middle_east/bethlehem.html|title= Bethlehem: Shopping|publisher=TouristHub}}</ref> The carvings are the main product purchased by tourists visiting Bethlehem.<ref name="handicrafts">{{cite web|url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/City/Heritage/HnadCraft.php|title=Handicrafts: Olive-wood carving|publisher=Bethlehem Municipality }}</ref> Religious handicrafts are also a major industry in Bethlehem, and some products include ornaments handmade from [[Nacre|mother-of-pearl]], as well as olive wood statues, boxes, and crosses.<ref name="BethTour"/> The art of creating [[Mother-of-Pearl carving in Bethlehem|mother-of-pearl handicrafts]] was introduced to Bethlehem by [[Franciscan]] [[friar]]s from [[Damascus]] during the 14th century.<ref name="handicrafts"/> Stone and marble-cutting, textiles, furniture and furnishings are other prevalent industries. Bethlehem also produces paints, plastics, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, construction materials and food products, mainly pasta and confectionery.<ref name="BPS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem.ps/facts/economy.php |title=Economy: Tourism |publisher=Bethlehem.ps |accessdate=2008-03-29}}</ref> Bethlehem has a wine-producing company, [[Cremisan|Cremisan Wine]], founded in 1885, that currently exports wine to several countries. The wine is produced by monks in the Monastery of Cremisan, and the majority of the grapes are harvested from the [[al-Khader (town)|al-Khader]] area. The monastery’s wine production is around 700,000 liters per year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem.ps/shopping/wine.php |title=Wine |last=Jahsan |first=Ruby |publisher=The Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation |accessdate=2008-01-29}}</ref> ===Tourism=== [[Image:Bethlehem-03-Church of the Nativity.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Church of the Nativity]]]] Tourism is Bethlehem's primary industry and unlike other Palestinian localities before 2000, the majority of the working residents did not work in Israel.<ref name=OCHA/> Over 25% of the working population was employed directly or indirectly in the industry.<ref name="BPS2"/> Tourism accounts for approximately 65% of the city's economy and 11% of the [[Palestinian National Authority]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/896CF7DD-9446-44C0-9B4D-4BA24A502BDF.htm+ |title=Bethlehem's Struggles Continue |work=Al Jazeera English |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> The [[Church of the Nativity]] is one of Bethlehem's major tourist attractions and a magnet for Christian pilgrims. It stands in the center of the city — a part of the [[Manger Square]] — over a grotto or cave called the Holy Crypt, where Jesus was born. Nearby is the Milk Grotto where [[Jerome]] spent thirty years [[Vulgate|translating the Hebrew Scriptures into Latin]].<ref name="BMH"/> There are over thirty hotels in Bethlehem.<ref name="Patience"/> [[Jacir Palace]], built in 1910 near the church, is one of Bethlehem's most successful hotels and its oldest. It was closed down in 2000 due to the violence of the Second Intifada, but reopened in 2005.<ref>[http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/129-JacirPalace.shtml Jacir Palace, InterContinental Bethlehem re-opens for business] InterContinental Hotels Group</ref> ===Economic conference=== Bethlehem hosted the largest ever economic conference in the Palestinian territories on [[May 21]], [[2008]]. It was initiated by [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Prime Minister]] and former [[Finance Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Finance Minister]] [[Salam Fayyad]] to convince over 1,000 businessmen, bankers and government officials from throughout the [[Middle East]] to invest in the West Bank and [[Gaza Strip]], although Fayyad admitted the territories were "far from the perfect business environment", being directly linked with the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]]. Nonetheless, 1.4 billion US dollars was secured for business investments in the Palestinian territories.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7412129.stm Palestinians bidding for business] Maqbool, Aleem. ''[[BBC News]]''. BBC MMVIII. [[2008-05-21]]. Retrieved on [[2008-05-22]].</ref> ==Culture== ===Embroidery=== {{See also|Palestinian costumes}} [[Image:Bethlehem woman edited.jpg|thumb|right|A woman in Bethlehem. Her headdress and short jacket are typical of the Bethlehem area.]] [[Image:Bethlehem Christmas pilgrims enter town 1890.jpg|thumb|right|Christmas pilgrims, 1890]] Before the establishment of Israel as a state, Bethlehem costumes and embroidery were popular in villages throughout the Judaean Hills and the coastal plain. The women embroiderers of Bethlehem and the neighboring villages of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour were known to be professional producers of wedding costumes.<ref name=PCA2>{{cite web |title=Palestine costume before 1948: by region |publisher=Palestine Costume Archive |accessdate=2008-01-28 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20061024053919/http://www.palestinecostumearchive.org/regional.htm}}</ref> Bethlehem was a center for embroidery producing a "strong overall effect of colors and metallic brilliance."<ref>{{cite book |last=Stillman |first=Yedida Kalfon |title=Palestinian costume and jewelry |publisher=University of New Mexico Press |date=1979 |location=Albuquerque |pages=p.&nbsp;46 |isbn=0-8263-0490-7 }}</ref> Less formal dresses in Bethlehem were generally made of indigo fabric and a sleeveless coat (''bisht''), made from locally woven wool, was worn over top. Dresses for special occasions were made of striped silk with winged sleeves and the short ''taqsireh'' jacket, known throughout Palestinian as the Bethlehem jacket, was worn over it. The taqsireh was made of [[velvet]] or [[broadcloth]], usually with heavy embroidery.<ref name=PCA2/> Bethlehem work was unique in its use of couched gold or silver cord, or silk cord onto the silk, wool, felt or velvet used for the garment, to create stylized floral patterns with free or rounded lines. This technique was used for "royal" wedding dresses (''thob malak''), taqsirehs and the ''shatwehs'' worn by married women. It has been traced by some to [[Byzantium]], and by others to the more formal costumes of the Ottoman Empire's elite. As Bethlehem was a Christian village, local women were also exposed to the detailing on church vestments with their heavy embroidery and silver brocade.<ref name=PCA2/> ===Museums=== [[Image:Bethlehem Christmas2.JPG|thumb|right|Catholic procession on [[Christmas Eve]] in Bethlehem, 2006]] Bethlehem has four museums located within its municipal borders. The [[Crib of the Nativity Theatre and Museum]] offers visitors 31 3D models depicting the significant stages of the life of Jesus. Its theater presents a 20-minute animated show. The [[Badd Giacaman Museum]], located in the Old City of Bethlehem, dates back to the 18th century and is primarily dedicated to the history and process of olive oil production.<ref name="BH"/> [[Baituna al-Talhami Museum]], established in 1972, contains displays of the culture of Bethlehem's inhabitants.<ref name="BH"/> The International Museum of Nativity was designed by [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO) for the purpose of showing works of "high artistic quality in an evocative atmosphere".<ref name="BH"/> ===Cultural centers=== Bethlehem is home to the [[Palestinian Heritage Center]], established in 1991. The center aims to preserve and promote [[Palestinian costumes|Palestinian embroidery]], [[Palestinian art|art]] and folklore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palestinianheritagecenter.com/objectives.htm|title=Palestinian Heritage Center: Objectives}}</ref> The International Center of Bethlehem is another cultural center that concentrates primarily on the culture of Bethlehem. It provides language and guide training, woman's studies and arts and crafts displays, and training.<ref name="BH"/> A branch of the [[the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music]] is located in Bethlehem and has about 500 students. Its primary goals are to teach children music, train teachers for other schools, sponsor music research, and the study of Palestinian folklore music.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ncm.birzeit.edu/new/page.php?page=branches+ |title=The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> ===Christmas celebrations=== Christmas rites are held in Bethlehem on three different dates: [[December 24]] is the traditional date by the Roman Catholic and [[Protestant]] denominations, but Greek, [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic]] and [[Syrian Orthodox Church|Syrian Orthodox]] Christians celebrate Christmas on [[January 6]] and [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Orthodox]] Christians on January 19. Most Christmas processions pass through Manger Square, the plaza outside the Basilica of the Nativity. Catholic services take place in [[St. Catherine's Church]] and Protestants often hold services at Shepherds' Fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-christmas.htm |title=Christmas in Bethlehem |publisher=Sacred Destinations |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> ==Government== [[Image:Bethlehem-hamasrally.JPG|thumb|right|A [[Hamas]] rally in Bethlehem]] Bethlehem is the ''muhfaza'' (seat) or district capital of the [[Bethlehem Governorate]]. The Bethlehem Municipal Council consists of fifteen elected members, including the mayor and deputy mayor. A special statute requires that the mayor and a majority of the municipal council must be Christian, while the remainder are open seats, not restricted to any religion.<ref name="Day"/> There are several branches of political parties on the council, including [[Communist]], [[Islamist]], and secular. The leftist factions of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] (PLO) such as the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] (PFLP) and the [[Palestinian People's Party]] (PPP) usually dominate the reserved seats. [[Hamas]] gained the majority of the open seats in the 2005 [[Palestinian municipal elections, 2005|Palestinian municipal elections]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/Counil/index.php+ |title=Bethlehem Municipality(Site Under Construction) |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> [[Image:Bethlehem-pppelectionposter.JPG|thumb|right|A poster of candidates representing the [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] in Bethlehem]] '''Elected Candidates of the Bethlehem municipal elections of 2005''' {| class="wikitable" |- | Rank | List | Candidate name | Religion |- | 1 | [[Bethlehem Fraternity and Development|Brotherhood & Development]] ([[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine|PFLP]]) | Victor Batarseh | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 2 | [[United Bethlehem Bloc|United Bethlehem]] ([[Fatah]] and [[Palestinian People's Party|PPP]]) | Antun Salman | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 3 | [[Reform Bloc|Reform]] ([[Hamas]]) | Hasan al-Masalma | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 4 | [[United Bethlehem Bloc|United Bethlehem]] ([[Fatah]] and [[Palestinian People's Party|PPP]]) | Afram Asmari | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 5 | [[Wafaa Bloc|Wafaa]] ([[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|Palestinian Islamic Jihad]]) | Isa Zawahara | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 6 | [[United Bethlehem Bloc|United Bethlehem]] ([[Fatah]] and [[Palestinian People's Party|PPP]]) | Khalil Chawka | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 7 | [[Reform Bloc|Reform]] ([[Hamas]]) | Khalid Jadu | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 8 | [[Hope and Labour Bloc|Hope & Labour]] ([[Fatah]]) | Zughbi Zughbi | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 9 | [[Reform Bloc|Reform]] ([[Hamas]]) | Nabil al-Hraymi | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 10 | [[Reform Bloc|Reform]] ([[Hamas]]) | Salih Chawka | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 11 | [[Reform Bloc|Reform]] ([[Hamas]]) | Yusuf al-Natsha | [[Islam|☪]] |- | 12 | [[Bethlehem Fraternity and Development|Brotherhood & Development]] ([[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine|PFLP]]) | Nina 'Atwan | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 13 | [[Bethlehem Fraternity and Development|Brotherhood & Development]] ([[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine|PFLP]]) | George Sa'ada | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 14 | [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] | Nadir al-Saqa | [[Christianity|†]] |- | 15 | [[United Bethlehem Bloc|United Bethlehem]] ([[Fatah]] and [[Palestinian People's Party|PPP]]) | Duha al-Bandak | [[Christianity|†]] |} ===Mayors=== The mayor and the deputy mayor of Bethlehem are required by municipal law to be Christian.<ref name="Day"/> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *[[Mikhail Abu Saadeh]] - 1876 *[[Khalil Yaqub]] - 1880 *[[Suleiman Jacir]] - 1884 *[[Issa Abdullah Marcus]] - 1888 *[[Yaqub Khalil Elias]] - 1892 *[[Hanna Mansur]] - 1895-1915 *[[Salim Issa al-Batarseh]] - 1916-17 *[[Salah Giries Jaqaman]] - 1917-21 *[[Musa Qattan]] - 1921-25 *[[Hanna Ibrahim Miladah]] - 1926-28 *[[Nicoloa Attalah Shain]] - 1929-33 {{col-2}} *[[Hanna Issa al-Qawwas]] - 1936-46 *[[Issa Basil Bandak]] - 1946-51 *[[Elias Bandak]] - 1951-53 *[[Afif Salm Batarseh]] - 1952-53 *[[Elias Bandak]] - 1953-57 *[[Ayyub Musallam]] - 1958-62 *[[Elias Bandak]] - 1963-72 *[[Elias Freij]] - 1972-97 *[[Hanna Nasser]] - 1997-2005 *[[Victor Batarseh]] (current) - 2005-<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nablus.org/en/htm/guide/Municipalities.htm|title=Municipalities Info}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/Mayor/FormerMayors.php |title=Bethlehem Municipality |accessdate=2008-01-22 |format= |work=}}</ref> {{col-2}} {{col-end}} ==Education== According to the [[Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics]] (PCBS), in 1997, approximately 84% of Bethlehem's population over the age of 10 was literate. Of the city's population, 10,414 were enrolled in schools (4,015 in primary school, 3,578 in secondary and 2,821 in high school). About 14.1% of high school students received diplomas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/phc_97/bet_t3.aspx |title=Palestinian Population (10 Years and Over) by Locality, Sex and Educational Attainment |accessdate=2008-01-22 |publisher=[[Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref> There were 135 schools in the [[Bethlehem Governorate]] in 2006; 100 run the [[Education Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Education Ministry of the Palestinian National Authority]], seven by the [[United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East|United Nations Relief and Works Agency]] (UNRWA) and 28 were private.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mohe.gov.ps/downloads/pdffiles/statisticE.pdf |title=Statistics about General Education in Palestine 2005-2006 |publisher=[[Education Minister of the Palestinian National Authority]] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> Bethlehem is home to [[Bethlehem University]], a [[Catholic]] Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faiths. Bethlehem University is the first university established in the West Bank, and can trace its roots to 1893 when the [[De La Salle Christian Brothers]] opened schools throughout Palestine and Egypt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem.edu/about/history.shtml |title=Bethlehem University - History |publisher=[[Bethlehem University]] |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> ==Transportation== ===Bus service=== [[Image:Bethlehem-street2.JPG|thumb|right|A street in Bethlehem lined with taxis]] Bethlehem has four privately owned bus stations which offer service to Jerusalem, [[Hebron]], [[Nahalin]], [[Battir]] and [[Beit Fajjar]]. Buses and taxis with West Bank licenses are not allowed to enter Israel, including Jerusalem, without a permit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/City/TransSys.php |title=Bethlehem Municipality(Site Under Construction) |accessdate=2008-01-22 }}</ref> ===Movement restrictions=== [[Image:BethlehemRoad.jpg|right|thumb|Main entrance into Bethlehem from [[Jerusalem]], 2005]] The Israeli construction of the [[Israeli West Bank barrier|West Bank barrier]] has had an impact on Bethlehem politically, socially, and economically. The barrier runs along the northern side of the town's built-up area, within meters of houses in 'Aida refugee camp on one side, and the Jerusalem municipality on the other.<ref name=OCHA/> Most entrances and exits from the Bethlehem agglomeration to the rest of the [[West Bank]] are currently subject to [[Israel Defense Forces checkpoint|Israeli checkpoints]] and roadblocks. The level of access varies based on Israeli security directives. Travel for Bethlehem's Palestinian residents from the West Bank into Israeli-annexed Jerusalem is regulated by a permit-system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/db942872b9eae454852560f6005a76fb/b45e8d8caacda74785256dbb0062e7b9!OpenDocument+ |title=Impact of Israel's separation barrier on affected West Bank communities - OCHA update report #2 (30 September 2003) |accessdate=2008-01-22 |format= |work=}}</ref> Acquiring such permits to enter, what in the past served in many ways as an urban anchor to Bethlehem, has become exceedingly rare since the onset of the violence surrounding the Second Intifada, though Israel has subsequently erected a terminal to ease transit between the two adjoining cities.<ref name=OCHA/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://domino.un.org/UNISPAl.NSF/3822b5e39951876a85256b6e0058a478/0306124470443c948525712b006a70b7!OpenDocument+ |title=Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine 17 January 2006 |accessdate=2008-01-22 |author=John Dugard |work=Commission on Human Rights }}</ref> Palestinians are not allowed to enter the Jewish holy site of [[Rachel's Tomb]], which is on the outskirts of the city, without a permit. Since Bethlehem and the nearby biblical [[Solomon's Pools]] lie in Area A (territory under both PNA military and civil administration), Israeli citizens are barred without a permit from the Israeli military authorities.<ref name=OCHA/> ==Sister cities== Bethlehem has the following sister cities.<ref>[http://www.twinningwithpalestine.net/groupsinternational.html Twinning with Palestine] Britain Palestine Twinning Network</ref><ref>[http://www.bethlehem-city.org/English/Twinning/index.php The City of Bethlehem has signed a twinning agreements with the following cities] Bethlehem Municipality.</ref> {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Marrickville, New South Wales|Marrickville]], [[Australia]]. * {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Steyr]], [[Austria]]. * {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Natal, Rio Grande do Norte]], [[Brazil]]. * {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Valinhos]], [[Brazil]]. * {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Třebechovice pod Orebem]], [[Czech Republic]]. * {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Villa Alemana]], [[Chile]]. * {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Concepción, Chile|Concepción]], [[Chile]]. * {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Chartres]], [[France]]. * {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Paray-le-Monial]], [[France]]. * {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Strasbourg]], [[France]]. * {{flagicon|GRE}} [[Athens]], [[Greece]]. * {{flagicon|GER}} [[Cologne]], [[Germany]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bethlehem.edu/news_events/bu_in_news/UserFiles/File/BethlehemConvention2006.pdf|title= Bethlehem Convention|format=PDF}}</ref> * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Assisi]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Cititavecchia]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Florence]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Greccio]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Lazio]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Milan]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Orvieto]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Pavia]], [[Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unipv.it/iuss/esascs/ip_csn_bethlehem.htm|title=The Cooperation and Development School of Pavia}}</ref> * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Pratovecchio]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[San Miniato]], [[Italy]]. {{col-2}} * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Sant'Anastasia]], [[Italy]]. *{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Umbria]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Verona]], [[Italy]]. * {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Monterrey]], [[Mexico]]. * {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Rabat]], [[Morocco]]. * {{flagicon|NED}} [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]. * {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Sarpsborg]], [[Norway]]. * {{flagicon|Peru}} [[Cusco]], [[Peru]]. * {{flagicon|POL}} [[Czestochowa]], [[Poland]]. * {{flagicon|POR}} [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]. * {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]]. * {{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Pretoria]], [[South Africa]]. * {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Zaragoza]], [[Spain]].<ref> [http://cmisapp.zaragoza.es/ciudad/zaragozainternacional/hermanamientos.htm Zaragoza Internacional: HERMANAMIENTOS ZARAGOZA, ESPAÑA:] Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza {{sp icon}}</ref> * {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]], [[Spain]]. * {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Leganés]], [[Spain]]. * {{flagicon|UK}} [[Glasgow]], [[United Kingdom]]. * {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Yalvac]], [[Turkey]]. * {{flagicon|UAE}} [[Abu Dhabi]], [[United Arab Emirates]]. * {{flagicon|Vermont}} [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]], [[Vermont]]. * {{flagicon|Missouri}} [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]], [[Missouri]]. * {{flagicon|Florida}} [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], [[Florida]]. {{col-2}} {{col-end}} ==References== {{reflist|3}} ==See also== * [[Star of Bethlehem]] * [[Bethlehem of Galilee]] * [[Municipal election in Bethlehem, 2005‎]] ==External links== {{commonscat|Bethlehem}} *[http://www.bethlehem-city.org Bethlehem Municipality] *[http://www.peacenter.org Bethlehem Peace Center] *[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/sites/TSbtmenu.html Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land website - pages on Bethlehem] *[http://www.biblelandshop.net/LIBRARY/Library10.html Bible Land Library] *[http://www.bethlehem2000.org/main.html Bethlehem 2000 project] *[http://www.openbethlehem.org/ Open Bethlehem civil society project] *[http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=65&amp;hits=20&amp;searchword=al+khader&amp;pageflip=26-22&amp;did=604-1&amp;searchResult=searchResult Bethlehem: Muslim-Christian living together] *[http://www.ianandwendy.com/Israel/Bethlehem/slideshow.htm Photo Gallery of Bethlehem from 2007] {{Bethlehem Governorate}} {{Cities in the West Bank}} [[Category:Bethlehem]] [[Category:Cities in the West Bank]] [[Category:Holy cities]] [[Category:New Testament places]] [[Category:Hebrew Bible places]] [[Category:Torah cities]] [[Category:History of Israel]] [[Category:Historic Jewish communities]] {{Link FA|id}} [[ar:بيت لحم]] [[an:Betlem]] [[az:Beytləhm]] [[bn:বেথেলহাম]] [[br:Betlehem]] [[bg:Витлеем]] [[ca:Betlem]] [[cs:Betlém]] [[cy:Bethlehem]] [[da:Betlehem]] [[de:Betlehem]] [[el:Βηθλεέμ]] [[es:Belén]] [[eo:Bet-Leĥem]] [[eu:Betleem]] [[fa:بیت‌لحم]] [[fr:Bethléem]] [[ga:Beitheal]] [[got:𐌱𐌴𐌸𐌻𐌰𐌹𐌷𐌰𐌹𐌼]] [[ko:베들레헴]] [[hy:Բեթլեհեմ]] [[hr:Betlehem]] [[id:Betlehem]] [[it:Betlemme]] [[he:בית לחם]] [[jv:Betlehem]] [[ka:ბეით-ლაჰმი]] [[ht:Bètleyèm]] [[la:Bethleem]] [[lb:Betlehem]] [[lt:Betliejus]] [[hu:Betlehem]] [[mk:Витлеем]] [[nl:Bethlehem]] [[ja:ベツレヘム]] [[no:Betlehem]] [[nn:Betlehem]] [[oc:Betelèm]] [[pl:Betlejem]] [[pt:Belém (Judeia)]] [[ro:Bethleem Efrata]] [[ru:Вифлеем]] [[simple:Bethlehem]] [[sk:Betlehem (sídlo)]] [[sl:Betlehem]] [[fi:Betlehem]] [[sv:Betlehem]] [[tl:Belén]] [[tr:Beytüllahim]] [[uk:Вифлеєм]] [[vec:Betleme]] [[wo:Betleyem]] [[yi:בית לחם]] [[zh:伯利恆]]