ISRAEL AND BETHLEHEM: NONE OF THE CREDIT, ALL OF THE BLAME

Muslims Driving Christians Out of Bethlehem, But Media Blame Israel - Aaron Klein
The mainstream media descend upon Bethlehem every year to ignore rampant Muslim intimidation of Christians and instead blast Israel - often with completely inaccurate information - for ruining Christmas. In fact, Bethlehem's Christian population started to drastically decline in 1995, the very year Arafat's PA took over the city. Bethlehem was 80% Christian in 1948, but since Arafat got his hands on it, the city's Christian population dove to below 25%. Some Christian leaders said one of the most significant problems facing Christians in Bethlehem is the rampant confiscation of land by Muslim gangs. "There are many cases where Christians have their land stolen by the (Muslim) mafia," said Samir Qumsiyeh, a Bethlehem Christian leader. (Ynet News)

Bethlehem Basks in Calm and Cheer - Dalia Nammari
Encouraged by renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Christian pilgrims from around the world converged on Bethlehem Monday to celebrate Christmas - a palpable contrast to the sparse crowds of recent years. (AP/Washington Post)

See also A Merry Christmas in Bethlehem - Ali Waked
This year, for the first time since the second intifada broke out, the celebrations seemed to have recovered their traditional grandeur, as the improved security situation kindled optimism and hope among visitors and locals. (Ynet News)

See also Christians Stream Out of Gaza for Christmas
Hundreds of Christians in Gaza flocked to the Erez border crossing with Israel on Monday after securing permission to leave the Hamas-run territory for Christmas. Most were hoping to pray on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. (AFP)