Christmas in Bethlehem

As the birth place of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem holds important historical and religious significange to Christians worldwide. Every year, the city hosts Christmas celebrations, services, and processions led by the many different Christian denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian, Armenian, and more. Most Christmas processions pass through Manger Square, the plaza outside the Basilica of the Nativity, which stands on the traditional site of Jesus' birth. Catholic services take place in St. Catherine's Church and Protestants often hold services at the Shepherds' Fields. Bethlehem Christmas celebrations stretch for a long period, as different denominations celebrate Christmas on different days. Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25; Greek, Syrian and other Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6; and Armenian Christians celebrate Christmas on January 18.

During this period of celebrations, Israel takes a number preparatory steps to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and its influx of visitors from abroad, while also facilitating the Christian community in the territories to carry out its religious rituals and ceremonies. Below are the details of steps taken by the Israeli Government to enable the Christmas celebrations for the 2008-2009 holiday season.

Main Steps

Family visits to Israel for Christians in the West Bank
Access by Arab Israelis to Bethlehem
Increased amount of permits to travel via Ben Gurion airport
Access of tourists to Bethlehem
Access of clergy to Bethlehem
Access to the Baptismal site on the Jordan River

Detailed information

Over the months of December and January the Christian world will celebrate the birth of Christ and the birth of the New Year. In order to take the necessary steps to facilitate the Christian community, Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved numerous steps that are intended to enable the religious ceremonies to take place in an atmosphere of the season.

24-26 December 2008 - Christmas as celebrated by the Catholic and Protestant Churches
31 December - New Year's Eve
7-8 January 2009 - Christmas as celebrated by the Orthodox Church
13-14 January 2009 - New Year's Eve - Orthodox Church
18-20 January 2009 - Christmas as celebrated by the Armenian Church and the Orthodox Epiphany

In order to implement all of the above ceremonies and celebrations a joint effort by the Israeli Defense establishment, the Israel Police Force and the Palestinian Authority and Police Force have commenced. The concept that all of the ceremonies will take place according to the "status quo" with regard of religious ceremonies, while maintaining freedom of movement of those participating, members of the clergy, Palestinian Christians and pilgrims from all over the world. Notably, 2008 has been an exceptional year for tourism in the region especially Bethlehem and Jericho where over 1.4 million foreign tourists have visited since the beginning of the year (55.6% increase compared to 2007).

Improvement of Access

In order to facilitate the movement Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, will be permitted to access relatives living in Israel throughout the holiday season. To date there are approximately 46,000 Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank, they pose a mere 1.9 % of the West Bank Palestinian population.

Movement of members of the clergy will be facilitated and they will not be required to disembark from their vehicles.

Palestinian Christians will also be approved to travel via Ben Gurion airport in increased numbers in order to facilitate those that are planning to travel abroad during the holidays. Furthermore, Israeli Arabs will be able to access Bethlehem via the numerous crossings, both vehicular and on foot. Special arrangements have been made in order to meet the increased amount of visitors during the holiday season.

Also, and despite the ongoing terror attacks from Gaza, some 300 Palestinian Christians living in the Gaza Strip will be permitted to travel to the West Bank in order to celebrate the holidays.

Finally, on 18-19 January 2009 the Israel will open the baptismal site on the Jordan River for the Orthodox communities to carry out the religious ceremonies with regard to the holy site attributed to the Epiphany of Christ. This site is scheduled to be open to the general public within the first quarter of 2009.