Pilgrims Visit Bethlehem on Christmas Eve BETHLEHEM, West Bank, DEC. 24, 2004 (Zenit.org)

BETHLEHEM, West Bank, DEC. 25, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Several thousand pilgrims flocked to the traditional birthplace of Jesus on Christmas Eve -- crowds that were bigger than in the past few years.

Christian worshippers made their way to Manger Square, next to the Church of the Nativity, on Friday. Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem celebrated Midnight Mass in the adjacent St. Catherine's Church. Hundreds of people packed the church, the Associated Press reported.

With interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and other dignitaries in attendance, Patriarch Sabbah called on Israelis and Palestinians to put the violence of the past behind them, AP said.

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ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS AIM TO PROMOTE PILGRIMAGES, JERUSALEM, DEC. 5, 2004 (Zenit.org)

JERUSALEM, DEC. 5, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Israeli and Palestinian officials signed a joint statement to announce that they will collaborate in promoting pilgrimages and tourism to the Holy Land.

In the text, signed by Gideon Ezra, Israel's minister of tourism, and Mitri Abu Aita, Palestinian minister of tourism and antiquities, they thank the Pope for his efforts in this respect.

The statement was a result of a meeting both ministers held Nov. 24. It explains "that tourism is not only a major economic force, and an important tool for nations' prosperity, but also a means of bringing peace and building bridges of confidence between peoples of the Middle East."

The ministries of tourism say they "will take effective measures to assure the safe and smooth passage of pilgrims and tourists visiting Israel and Palestinian areas, and will provide appropriate atmosphere for the private sector in both sides in terms of traffic to assure the best services for tourists and pilgrims to the Holy Land."

Both ministers appreciate "very much the address of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the General Assembly of the Italian bishops, calling upon them to organize pilgrimages to the Holy Land."

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Between old fears and new hopes, celebrating Advent in Bethlehem 30 November, 2004 PALESTINE Bethlehem (AsiaNews/Agencies)

Bethlehem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Never like this year has the time of Advent been so charged with hope and expectations in the birthplace of Jesus. People are tired of war and look with hope to the emergence of a new Palestinian leadership that might bring peace to the Holy Land.

Even though the memory of the late Arafat, Palestine’s charismatic leader, is still alive in the hearts of Palestinians, people reproach him for “Palestinians’ international isolation” and his “incapacity to bring peace to the territories”. Instead, “I hope Abu Mazen can reopen doors to the world for us, help us breathe again,” said Bethlehem merchant Nasser Allawi.

The wall Israel is building in the West Bank to stop terrorist attacks cuts into part of Bethlehem whilst Jewish settlements are growing on the hills around, compounding the shrine town’s sense of isolation and neglect. Among the faithful gathered in the Basilica of the Nativity hope for a new era of peace” has also not disappeared altogether. According to some residents, the “atmosphere is more relaxed after almost a year free of serious violence”. It has been quiet for some time, and “we have already been seeing a modest recovery in visitors”.

Some were heartened by a meeting last week, the first in over four years, between the Palestinian and Israeli tourism ministers, who agreed to make it easier for pilgrims to visit Bethlehem. The two also appealed to Christians to visit the Holy Land.

Others are counting on Abu Mazen, a Muslim, to come to the Church of the Nativity's to celebrate Christmas Eve mass. “If Abu Mazen comes, it will help show the world that Bethlehem is safe again for tourism,” said Yusuf Allawi, who co-manages the family souvenir store with his brother Nasser.

Other residents are more cautious about the future. “Things here have a way of being 'decided', then suddenly there's an explosion and we’re back to square one,” said Shukri Dallal, a food retailer. “All we can do is pray that our new leaders lead us towards peace, so we can work and come and go like normal people”.

Advent in Bethlehem: nervous but hopeful Bethlehem, Dec. 01 (AsiaNews)

Bethlehem, Dec. 01 (AsiaNews) - Expectations are high as the people of Bethlehem prepare for Christmas, the AsiaNews service reports.

The death of Yasser Arafat, and the emergence of Mahmoud Abbas as the Palestinian leader, has Palestinians hoping for an end to long years of violence. Using the new leader's popular name, Bethlehem merchant Nasser Allawi said, "I hope Abu Mazen can reopen doors to the world for us, help us breathe again."

Residents of Bethlehem were cheered by a meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian tourism ministers, who agreed to promote Christian pilgrimages. Now the townspeople are hoping that Abbas, a Muslim, will follow Arafat's example by attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem-- a gesture that would signal to Christians in other lands that it is safe to visit the Holy Land. [For a more detailed story see the AsiaNews web site.]