Bethleham mayor urges pilgrims to visit in numbers
The mayor of Jesus’ traditional home town today asked pilgrims to visit in large numbers during Christmas and help pressure Israel to dismantle the barrier that rings the city and cuts it off from Jerusalem.
Victor Batarseh, the mayor of Bethlehem, said twice as many visitors are expected this year, compared to last, but they will find the city “walled off.” A 25ft wall cuts through the north edge of the town, part of the barrier Israel says it needs to keep Palestinian suicide bombers out.
