(Vatican Radio) Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus and as Christmas approaches
our thoughts instinctively turn to this small town in the Holy Land where the Christian
message began. But what is the situation like for people living in Bethlehem nowadays?
The separation barrier between Israel and the Palestinian territories has hit the
town particularly hard by effectively cutting off easy access to the city of Jerusalem,
located only 7 kilometres away. Brother Peter Bray is the Vice Chancellor at Bethlehem
University, a Catholic institution open to students of all faith traditions. He spoke
to Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges.
Brother Peter says "Christmas for Bethlehem
is really THE day of the year ... when the whole Christian world focuses on this
place" and so the local residents rise above the many "hassles" they face in their
daily lives. Asked about the impact of the separation barrier and the many Israeli
military checkpoints, Brother Peter says they are all "continually confronted by these
restrictions" on their movements and "are part of their daily life."
He
goes on to explain that whereas he (as a non-Palestinian) can go up to Galilee some
of the students at the university who were born in the Palestinian territories "have
never been to Galilee." The nearby city of Jerusalem is also off-limits for these
students. "They can look over into Jerusalem but they cannot go there, "he says.
When
asked how Palestinians see their future, Brother Peter says there is a wariness about
expecting any significant improvements in their lives, despite the recent recognition
of Palestine as an observer state at the U.N. Whilst Palestinians are grateful for
this recognition, he adds, "in terms of how it is going to impact their daily lives,
there's a certain wariness and scepticism about it."
Listen to the extended
interview with Brother Peter Bray: