On the 24th of December 2002, at Christmas Eve, Israel continues its policy of violating the Palestinian land. In the early morning of this special day the Israeli Bulldozers continued their work in the new military road at the northern entrance of Bethlehem city.
ARIJ field workers went to the specified location where the new unpaved road was bulldozed beside the military fence road that is supposed to link Har Homa settlement ( Abu Ghneim mountain) with Gilo settlement. A part of the Separation Wall is supposed to be constructed in this area in order to segregate the Palestinian community living in Bethlehem. See Photo 1 & Photo 2.
Today, Christmas celebrations are cancelled due to the Israeli incursion on Bethlehem district and people expressed their sadness towards the political situations and preventing president Arafat from attending midnight mass held at Nativity Church. The people tried to manifest their anger about the occupation during this occasion by holding logos against the military presence in Bethlehem and the rest of Palestinian cities. See Photo 3 & Photo 4.
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
