Bethlehem
Bethlehem is located to the south of Jerusalem at the edge of the
Judean Desert and surrounded with olive groves at an elevation of 777 m (2555
ft) above the sea level. It was first mentioned in the Old Testament as the
place associated with death and burial of Rachel the second wife of Jacob
(Gen.48:7). Since then, Bethlehem had acquired many names and titles: Ephrata,
Bet-lechem (House of bread/Hebrew), Baita-lahm (House of meat/ Arabic), City of
King David, Cradle of peace, all depicting a city of importance, abundance and
great influence throughout tenths of centuries.
It goes without saying
that the most crucial and important event that took place in Bethlehem was the
birth of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago, this event left an
indelible imprint on the destiny and faith of human race ever after till our
present day. Numerous biblical events took place in Bethlehem too, which gave
the city great religious and spiritual values for Christians and Jews. Despite
the political conflicts that prevail the region since decades. Hundreds of
thousands of pilgrims and tourists insist to follow the Bethlehem Star
every year to visit the city and discover its biblical sites and to wonder
amongst the old city’s narrow alleys and the fascinating surroundings. Every
single stone in the old city of Bethlehem have a story to
tell.
Bethlehem is a modern
Palestinian Christian city. The Bethlehem agglomeration includes the towns of
Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, the latter also having Biblical
significance. The three cities home one of the biggest Christian communities in
the Middle East. The vast majority of the Bethlehem district inhabitants make
their living through activities related to tourism. Modern hotels, large
restaurants, souvenirs shopping centers and tenths of factories and workshops
which employs thousands of artisans mainly manufacturing souvenirs and religious
artifacts made from olive wood, Mother of Pearl, pottery, bee wax candles and
traditional Palestinian embroidery dresses and table mates, all to be marketed
locally or exported to international markets.
Bethlehem is also known
for its famous marble and stone industry, hundreds of queries at the out skirts
of the city provide the region with white and purple building stones and marble
tiles. In the Holy Land the four facades of any building must be covered with
stones according to municipal regulations.
Unfortunately, during the last decade
thousands of Christians emigrated from the area and many families vanished or
disappeared due to the merciless political aggressions and the illogical social,
racist and commercial restrictions imposed on the population as a result of the
endless unfair conflicts in the region such as the racist suffocating 35ft. high
wall recently erected around the city thus separating it from Jerusalem and the
surroundings.
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