Bethlehem is a very important city for Christians. Although it is currently located in Israel, it is located in the Palestinian Authority. The town is strongly marked politically and historically. What is life like in Bethlehem today - more than two thousand years after the birth of Christ?
Palestinian Wall
In the recent history of the world, walls are a sign political animosity. It is no different in Bethlehem. The city is surrounded by a wall on the west and north. It is only 30 km to Jerusalem from here, however there is an infamous one on the way to the capital of Israel checkpoint 300. For this reason, the movement towards Jerusalem is very difficult. The inhabitants Bethlehemwho work in the Israeli capital have to line up as early as 2:00 am.
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It does not apply to tourists
However, traffic difficulties do not apply to tourists. A special lane has been designated for them, thanks to which the journey by coach takes no more than 20 minutes. Although contemporary Bethlehem inhabited mostly by Muslims, many Christian pilgrimages still go to this city for tourist purposes. No wonder - after all, this is where Jesus Christ was born.
Subtitles
Same as in the case of The Berlin Wall, the one in Bethlehem is marked with graffiti. Among them, the most striking ones that refer to difficult political situation in the region. Most often we can see the inscription "Free Palestine".
Tourism as a driving force
The city is not one of the largest. It is inhabited by approx. 30 thousand. residents, of which only 35% of them are Christians. It should be noted that about 1/4 of the population remains unemployed. The rest earn from tourists by making and selling souvenirs. Modest stalls can be encountered at every turn.
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Little space
The inhabitants themselves Bethlehem they argue that they do not need cars. There is some truth in this - the city is very densely built-up, which in the face of a small population makes its size it's not great. This also applies to monuments - most of them can be visited on foot.
What to see?
When going to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage, tourists most often also visit the birthplace of Christ. There are several monuments here, and one of the most visited ones is Basilica of the Nativity of Jesus. You can enter the temple through a door that is extremely low. This is due to the fact that the original gate was walled up to protect this place from destruction. They rode into the temple on horses, thus contributing to the desecration of its interior.
Apart from the Basilica, it is the second most visited place Żłóbka Square. Being in Bethlehem worth visiting also The Milk Grotto. According to the legends, it was here that Mary's food was to be poured out. On the outskirts of the city there is Shepherds' field. In its center there is a small church, the walls of which are decorated with paintings depicting the coming of the Lord Jesus into the world.
A symbol not only of religion
contemporary Bethlehem it is not only a religious symbol for Christians. It is also a symbol of the political turmoil in the region. It is the hotspot of many conflicts, and bullet marks can be encountered in many places. It is also the story of the weakest - unwanted children who are disposed of after birth by mothers.
The fighters make themselves known
In the past, even tourists they couldn't feel safe. In 1989, Palestinian militants fired upon German coach. As a result of the incident, 3 tourists were injured. Only two days later they threw another one German coach stones. As a result of this incident, 2 tourists were injured. A year later - on December 9, 1990 - militants threw a grenade into an Israeli post. As a result, he died 1 soldier, while 20 others were injured.
Apartheid Wall
Mentioned at the outset mur separating Bethlehem from Israel was put in place to stop terrorist attacks. According to Palestinians, however, he contributed to the suffering of many people. This is why it is referred to by them as Apartheid Wall. Much is true in this formulation.
Palestinian intifads
Intifada in English Arab ozbana rebellion, rising. It is also the best term for connecting relationships Israel and Palestine. In the recent history of the region, two Palestinian intifads have broken out, and their causes can be traced back to by armed seizure of the Gaza Strip i West Bank by the Israeli army in 1967.
The first intifada took place in 1987 and broke out in The Gaza Strip. In the following days, the riots spread to other regions as well, including, above all, other regions West Bank. Its goal was to win Palestinian States. Operation Desert Storm was a culmination, and an agreement was reached in the process the peace conference in Madrid 1991 w roku.
Second intifada
The second intifada took place in 2000 and was known as the "Al-Aqsa Intifada." Riots broke out in Jerusalem and spread rapidly throughout The Gaza Strip and West Bank. The visit turned out to be the ignition moment Minister of Tourism on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. However, the true causes of many experts are found in the wrongly entered ones peace resolutions, which was concluded in Oslo in 1993.
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The conflict lasted for four years, and he is considered to be the main leader on the Palestinian side Yasser Arafat. The riots began to end after his death in Paris on November 11, 2004. His successor - Mahmoud Abbas - initiated peace talks with Israel. However, it faces serious difficulties on the parties Palestinian radicals. The most serious accusations are made against the Israeli authorities, which they say do not have prefers to reach an agreement.
Bethlehem today
Although currently in Bethlehem there are no riots, the political situation is far from ideal. Until now, Israeli services have been driving Palestinians away from the wall with tear gas or rubber bullets. The best proof of this is the fact that the city is under strict discipline. Passage problems to Jerusalem is just one of the effects. It is also periodically introduced Police hour. Today's Bethlehem still not a quiet place. Raids on Palestinian homes are the order of the day. Themselves Palestinians they are not without blame - liberation movements, which are called "terrorist", are still going on.
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