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As the Mayor of Bethlehem, I find it my duty to convey to you and
to the world at large my grave concern over the serious threat
that overshadows Bethlehem represented by the Israeli recent
measures at the northern entrance of our town.
After encircling Bethlehem with the separation wall, the Israeli
authorities have started on the 15th of November operating the
new check point at the northern entrance of our Holy Town. The
Israeli measures impose further hindrance and delay in crossing
the check point not only to our Palestinian people but to the
visitors as well. Tourists and pilgrims are asked to dismount
from their buses especially when leaving Bethlehem and to line in
queue to be checked individually including passport examination,
checking of souvenirs they bought and passing through an x – ray
checking device while the bus is being checked as well.
In fact such examination exceeds the one at the airports and
borders. It is causing a considerable delay in the tourists whole
visit program and is met with their great resentment.
As a result, several pervious bookings in Bethlehem hotels were
cancelled during the past three days. Tour operators became more
than reluctant to let their tourists visit Bethlehem to avoid
disruption in their program and to escape passing through this
long bitter process.
After a standstill in incoming tourism over the past four years,
during which Bethlehem has suffered tremendously, we were very
glad that tourists, though with limited numbers, have gradually
started to come back to Bethlehem in the recent few months. Our
expectations were growing higher especially with Christmas
drawing near.
Regretfully, the forementioned Israeli measures are liable to
cause a serious decline if not a collapse to the incoming
pilgrimage and tourism, our town's major source of revenue.
I sincerely call upon you to defend the lawful rights of the Town
of the Nativity and to urgently interfere to stop this Israeli
oppressive measure.
With my best regards.
Dr. Victor Batarseh
Mayor of Bethlehem
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