Life in Bethlehem this Christmas

(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: