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| Mayor of Bethlehem: 'We light our Christmas tree as a message of peace' | Mayor of Bethlehem: 'We light our Christmas tree as a message of peace' |
| (7 months later) | |
| On 5 December the star at the top of the Christmas tree in Manger Square, Bethlehem was lit, signifying the start of the festive season. The Palestinian city, home to the holy sites of the Church of Nativity believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, is a symbol of peace for those who celebrate Christmas around the world. The symbol is very significant this winter, with relations between Israel and Palestine once again increasingly volatile. | On 5 December the star at the top of the Christmas tree in Manger Square, Bethlehem was lit, signifying the start of the festive season. The Palestinian city, home to the holy sites of the Church of Nativity believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, is a symbol of peace for those who celebrate Christmas around the world. The symbol is very significant this winter, with relations between Israel and Palestine once again increasingly volatile. |
| “We had a message to give to the world, and we did,” says Vera Baboun, mayor of Bethlehem. “When we lit the tree, we gave a message that we cannot be without hope. We have to be with hope, despite everything surrounding us: the political situation, the situation in the middle east, and war. | “We had a message to give to the world, and we did,” says Vera Baboun, mayor of Bethlehem. “When we lit the tree, we gave a message that we cannot be without hope. We have to be with hope, despite everything surrounding us: the political situation, the situation in the middle east, and war. |
| “This political situation cannot take away the joy for the children, nor prevent us from celebrating.” | “This political situation cannot take away the joy for the children, nor prevent us from celebrating.” |
| True peace can never prevail in the world as long as the city of peace does not live in peace | True peace can never prevail in the world as long as the city of peace does not live in peace |
| Recent violent incidents have tempered this year’s Christmas celebrations in the holy city. Fewer streets were decorated, some festivities were cancelled and there was no fireworks display, which traditionally marks the lighting of the Christmas tree. | Recent violent incidents have tempered this year’s Christmas celebrations in the holy city. Fewer streets were decorated, some festivities were cancelled and there was no fireworks display, which traditionally marks the lighting of the Christmas tree. |
| Instead, Baboun, a Christian, looked for a different method to mark the festive season. Churches around the world were invited to ring their bells at the same time, as a symbol of peace and solidarity. “Sixty nine churches rang their bells when the Christmas tree of Bethlehem was lit,” says Baboun. “If humanity remains silent, let the bells of Bethlehem speak instead. The bells ring to reflect the mosaic of the city: they reflect the joy, the existence, the danger that we’re living in – everything.” | Instead, Baboun, a Christian, looked for a different method to mark the festive season. Churches around the world were invited to ring their bells at the same time, as a symbol of peace and solidarity. “Sixty nine churches rang their bells when the Christmas tree of Bethlehem was lit,” says Baboun. “If humanity remains silent, let the bells of Bethlehem speak instead. The bells ring to reflect the mosaic of the city: they reflect the joy, the existence, the danger that we’re living in – everything.” |
| The day we speak, Baboun has returned from a memorial service for a teenager who was killed by Israeli soldiers in a refugee camp just south of Bethlehem. She is clearly affected, and her voice echoes sadness and frustration. “This is the reality that we live, the challenge that we live,” she says. But there is hope. “We have to keep on the message that we carry.” | The day we speak, Baboun has returned from a memorial service for a teenager who was killed by Israeli soldiers in a refugee camp just south of Bethlehem. She is clearly affected, and her voice echoes sadness and frustration. “This is the reality that we live, the challenge that we live,” she says. But there is hope. “We have to keep on the message that we carry.” |
| Baboun has an enduring love for the city and its inhabitants. She was a lecturer in English literature and language at Bethlehem university for 20 years before becoming the city’s first elected female mayor in 2012. She sees this not only as a personal achievement, but a reflection of a developing society. “It is the way my people, my nation, my citizens think: trusting in a woman, supporting the women,” she says. | Baboun has an enduring love for the city and its inhabitants. She was a lecturer in English literature and language at Bethlehem university for 20 years before becoming the city’s first elected female mayor in 2012. She sees this not only as a personal achievement, but a reflection of a developing society. “It is the way my people, my nation, my citizens think: trusting in a woman, supporting the women,” she says. |
| As mayor and leader of the governorate of Bethlehem, she is president of the water authority and resident council, among others. It’s a challenge because “you work on the national level and the universal level. The mayor of Bethlehem is responsible for both, and to keep Bethlehem and its message in contact with different parts of the world. And at the same time to lead the process nationally, which includes development, services, looking for resources.” | As mayor and leader of the governorate of Bethlehem, she is president of the water authority and resident council, among others. It’s a challenge because “you work on the national level and the universal level. The mayor of Bethlehem is responsible for both, and to keep Bethlehem and its message in contact with different parts of the world. And at the same time to lead the process nationally, which includes development, services, looking for resources.” |
| During her time as mayor there have been significant developments. Manger Square has been renovated and the borders of Bethlehem municipality have been increased. There has also been progress in gender equality: according to Baboun, a majority of students at Bethlehem University are women and there’s an equal number of men and women employed by the municipality. | During her time as mayor there have been significant developments. Manger Square has been renovated and the borders of Bethlehem municipality have been increased. There has also been progress in gender equality: according to Baboun, a majority of students at Bethlehem University are women and there’s an equal number of men and women employed by the municipality. |
| But in some ways progress is limited: 82% of Bethlehem falls inside Area C, which is territory under direct Israeli military and administrative control. “You are leading an authority in a place that you are not fully authorised to lead,” says Baboun. “It cripples your authority, cripples your capacity.” | But in some ways progress is limited: 82% of Bethlehem falls inside Area C, which is territory under direct Israeli military and administrative control. “You are leading an authority in a place that you are not fully authorised to lead,” says Baboun. “It cripples your authority, cripples your capacity.” |
| The economic strains add another level to the importance of Christmas. “Bethlehem depends on tourism,” Baboun says. “During Christmas we have visitors, tours, pilgrims; that’s why the celebration is also important for our economic continuity.” She hopes for cultural understanding between Bethlehemites and the hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims who descend on the city at this time of year. “It’s important to interact with others. What is civilisation about? What is culture about? It is about interaction of people from different nations. What I love in Bethlehem is the very secure ambiance, people are very giving, so you feel it around.” | The economic strains add another level to the importance of Christmas. “Bethlehem depends on tourism,” Baboun says. “During Christmas we have visitors, tours, pilgrims; that’s why the celebration is also important for our economic continuity.” She hopes for cultural understanding between Bethlehemites and the hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims who descend on the city at this time of year. “It’s important to interact with others. What is civilisation about? What is culture about? It is about interaction of people from different nations. What I love in Bethlehem is the very secure ambiance, people are very giving, so you feel it around.” |
| As the city continues to celebrate the festive season throughout December – albeit under the shadow of political tensions and violence – Baboun hopes it will act as a symbol of what she believes to be the true meaning of Christmas. In her 2015 Christmas message, she writes: “True peace can never prevail in the world as long as the city of peace does not live in peace. We remain hopeful that the star of Bethlehem will be forever sparkling.” | As the city continues to celebrate the festive season throughout December – albeit under the shadow of political tensions and violence – Baboun hopes it will act as a symbol of what she believes to be the true meaning of Christmas. In her 2015 Christmas message, she writes: “True peace can never prevail in the world as long as the city of peace does not live in peace. We remain hopeful that the star of Bethlehem will be forever sparkling.” |
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