March 14, 2005

TO: Congressional staff with foreign policy responsibilities

FROM: Churches for Middle East Peace

RE: Bethlehem, Jerusalem and the barrier

We bring your attention to the catastrophic effect that Israel’s building of a separation barrier is having on the town of Bethlehem, as explained by Mayor Hanna Nasser in a letter to Churches for Middle East Peace.

The Mayor writes about Israel confiscating Palestinian land and building a 25 foot high concrete barrier between Bethlehem and Rachel’s Tomb which lies at the entry to Bethlehem along the road that links Bethlehem to Jerusalem.  This barrier prevents Palestinian Christians from access to their places of worship whether at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem or the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The sites associated with Jesus’ birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection become physically separated by the barrier, detracting from the wholeness, accessibility and sanctity of Bethlehem and Jerusalem for faithful worshipers and visiting pilgrims.  Similarly, the barrier and closure of Jerusalem prevents the freedom of worship of Palestinian Muslims. 

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, is home to the largest Palestinian Christian community, estimated at around 20,000, and is one of the most revered Christian holy sites. In fact, Bethlehem is totally dependent upon the tourist business. Located just 8 miles apart, Bethlehem and Jerusalem have long been twin attractions for pilgrims and tourists from all over. If the barrier and Israeli military checkpoints cordon Bethlehem off from Jerusalem, the economic catastrophe that will take place will certainly contribute to a dramatic dwindling of the Christian Palestinian numbers, 3,000 of whom have left in the past four years. It would be a tragedy of historic proportions for Christianity if Bethlehem, after two millennia, lost its Christian population. Something must be done to ensure that Bethlehem is an open town and that people can come and go freely.

While Israel has a legitimate right to protect its citizens, the barrier, here and inside other parts of the West Bank, inflicts severe hardship on Palestinian life. For this reason, the International Court of Justice, the Israeli High Court and officials of the United States government have demanded changes in the route of the barrier. 

The barrier in and around Jerusalem appears to be designed as a de facto border. It is clear that the government of Israel intends to prejudge negotiations on the status of the city, making it impossible for Jerusalem to serve as the capital of both Israel and the future state of Palestine. Without an agreed solution for sharing Jerusalem, there will be neither peace nor a Palestinian state.  Nor is there any future for the little town of Bethlehem if it is isolated and cut off from Jerusalem.

Congress should back the Administration’s request that the barrier’s route not prejudge final status negotiations, including a negotiated agreement on the status of Jerusalem.