Merrily to Bethlehem...

Ever heard of this carol? Well, if you went to Bethlehem, it won't be merry. Just came back from there and guess what, the Israeli government has built a 10 meter high wall around Bethlehem and the Muslims and Christians cannot get out of the city unless given permission from the Isreali Authorities. Rather unnerving, you may find.

The Bethlehem 'ghetto' is also neighbouring to two neighbouring villages, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. Beit Jala is instead surrounded by an electrified fence.

However, the residents are optimistic that the wall will come down one day when the Israelis completely pull out of West Bank.

Anyway, Bethlehem is an otherwise charming town. About 67% of its residents are Muslim and the rest are Christians. Top must-see sites include the Church of Nativity, the site of the birth of Jesus, the souqs along the street, and being the centre of Palestinian culture, you can indulge in Palestinian art and food culture such as Baklava. Go see the mother-of-pearl carvings, they are simply charming.

To get to Bethlehem, take a sherut from the Jordan-Israeli border, or take bus number 21 from East Jerusalem at Damascus Gate and the bus will take you to Beit Jala before terminating at Bethlehem bus station, about an exhausting uphill walk to the Church of the Nativity. The cost of the trip is 6 shekels (about S$2.40)

Here are some pictures taken in Bethlehem


The walls around Bethlehem


One of the many graffiti on the wall


Bethlehem Media Centre