Military

DATE=10/31/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS / BETHLEHEM (L-only)

NUMBER=2-268693

BY-LINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Bethlehem, the cradle of Christianity, is virtually sealed-off from the outside world with violence raging across the territories. Ross Dunn reports from this town in the West Bank, which has been under siege for more than month.

TEXT: Bethlehem is only ten minutes drive from Jerusalem. But reaching the place is no now easy matter.

Foreign tourists who wish to make the journey - and they are almost none willing do so these days - have to seek special permission to cross through an Israeli military checkpoint at the entrance to the West Bank.

If approval is given by the Israeli soldiers, barricades are temporarily lifted to allow the few journalists and foreigners wishing to enter the town.

But the images ahead are at best bleak and at worst life-threatening.

On the main street of Bethlehem virtually every shop and restaurant is firmly closed, as they have been for more than a month.

One can proceed further if they are no riots outside Rachel's Tomb, a Jewish shrine and reach the town's central plaza, Manger Square.

The area is adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, where tradition holds that Jesus was born.

But even though Christmas may be just two months away, there is nothing festive in the air.

Bethlehem's Mayor Hanna Nasser does not believe there will be any improvement before Christmas December 25.

/// Nasser act ///

The indications show the tourists are no more coming. They have cancelled. Even at Christmas I don't expect that the normal figure will be here and the normal figure usually is about 20-thousand on the eve of Christmas and Christmas itself and I am sure that this year will have (a) few hundreds only.

/// End act ///

Instead of Christian tourists, angry Islamic militants gather in Manger square for political meetings, an area that had been dressed up to showcase celebrations for the 2000th anniversary year of Christ's birth.

The Christian festivities have come to a premature end. Mayor Nasser says that the old saying that the show must go on does not apply to Bethlehem

/// Nasser act ///

All the activities in the months of October, November and December,they have been cancelled altogether.

/// End act ///

Despite this, Mayor Nasser says that the town's Christian residents have so far not mounted any mass exodus but he fears that the residents may want to leave if the violence continues.

/// Nasser act ///

Because of these recent events nobody has decided to leave but I am afraid that in the long run that if we won't succeed in having stability altogether, this might affect some of our families.

/// End act ///

In order to secure the safety of residents in this and other Arab towns across the West Bank, Mr Nasser says that Israelis and Palestinians must return to the negotiating table.

He says that neither side can achieve their goals through fighting and therefore there is no alternative other than to make a lasting peace.(SIGNED)

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