There will be a Christmas in Bethlehem this year.

Wednesday, December 13, 2000

There will be a Christmas in Bethlehem this year. Despite violence in Palestinian territories in Israel, the city of Christ's birth will be open to visitors, Mayor Hanna Nasser said. Hotels have reported many cancellations because of the violence, prompting some to speculate that Christmas activities will be canceled.

..."All the rumors about the cancellation of Christmas in Bethlehem are ridiculous," Nasser said. "I tell all pilgrims [that] they can come here to pray. I hope those who are interested will not be scared." A large Christmas tree will be erected in Manger Square and midnight services will be held in the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve, Reuters reported. Processions of singing carolers will proceed from the edge of the city to Manger Square, Nasser said.

...Bethlehem is "safe and secure" from the violence that has killed more than 300 people in the past 10 weeks. There has been intense fighting outside the city, near Rachel's Tomb, Reuters reported. "Hanging over Bethlehem is a sad atmosphere, but we are going to celebrate Christmas," Nasser said.