Archived News:

  • Plight of Palestinian Christians- McCaul / Crowley proposed resolution:
    In June, Congressmen Michael McCaul and Joseph Crowley have submitted a resolution that blames the Palestinian Authority for the economic plight and migration of Palestinian Christians from the Holy Land. It demands that Congress condemn the P.A. for its treatment of Christian Palestinians! It does not mention the Israeli occupation, the confiscation of Palestinian lands, the siege and strangulation of Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns. We joined many Churches and Palestinian organizations in a joint effort to stop the bill and amend it to properly place the blame squarely where it is due. See our letter to Congressmen McCaul and Crowley.

  • California Mother's Day Banquet:
    The Los Angeles Chapter invites all Bethlehemites and friends to their annual Mother's day event: banquet, entertainment and dance, Saturday, May 13.

  • Easter in Bethlehem 2006:
     While thousands of Christians came to Jerusalem during these holy days of the Easter season,  the Christians from the Bethlehem district, 5 miles away, were prohibited from worshiping in Jerusalem during Holy Week and Easter. Local Christians felt that Christ was not allowed to rise this year by all the Israeli checkpoints around his tomb! There was no way he would be permitted to appear in Emmaus or lake Tiberias. In fact, the village of Emmaus has been erased by Israeli settlements.

 

Reception For Bethlehem Association Scholarship Students Graduating June 2005.
Twenty five to thirty scholarships are granted each year to students at Bethlehem University. Nine students are graduating this year. A reception is being held on June 4, 2005 to honor the students, their parents and the scholarships sponsors.
 

Strife Spurs Slow Exodus of West Bank Christians By Ken Ellingwood, Times Staff Writer
 

LETTER FROM BETHLEHEM (69) Toine van Teeffelen April 19, 2005 THE CROW CRIES
 

An update on the situation in Bethlehem : The Wall in Bethlehem : Letter from Mayor of Bethlehem

 

Letter From Tony Saca President Of Salvador to the Bethlehem Association in response to our letter.
 

California Christmas 2004 Party : Photos
 

Bethlehem University : The Perseverance of Bethlehem University Despite two intifadas and numerous closings, the university keeps growing.
 

AEI Statement : on the political future after the Palestinian elections - January 20th, 2005
 

LATIN PATRIARCHATE : CHRISTMAS MESSAGE : Christmas 2004

 

Bethlehem Hears Xmas Plea For Peace By Sky News : Christmas 2004

 

Thousands of pilgrims visit Bethlehem By AP : Christmas 2004
 

The Changing Face of Bethlehem : an informative report & facts on the current situation in Bethlehem - PDF File - By the office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA and UNSCO December 2004

 

 

•  In shadow of security wall Bethlehem celebrates festive Christmas: (HCEF) Bethlehem has celebrated its most festive Christmas since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000 with the largest turnout of pilgrims visiting the town of Jesus' birth for more than five years. More than 30,000 pilgrims descended on the Palestinian-ruled West Bank town for the festive holiday. Details

 

•  Bethlehem Hosts Huge Christmas Crowds: (AP) Thousands of tourists flocked to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations Saturday, bringing a long-missing sense of holiday cheer to Jesus' historic birthplace. Details

 

•  Bethlehem a 'prison' - patriarch  (BBC) Patriarch Michel Sabbah said 

  Bethlehem has become an "immense prison" since the erection of the West Bank

  barrier Details

 

•  California Christmas gathering: Bethlehem Association celebrates

  Christmas Details

 

•  Open Bethlehem: At Open Bethlehem, we believe that our city may still

  have a future if we fight for it with all the energy and creativity it deserves.

  We must: for our own  sake and for the world. more

 

• His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has become the first new

  citizen of Bethlehem, having been presented with a Bethlehem passport

  by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, in a meeting at

  the Vatican on Saturday 3 December. Details

 

• OPEN BETHLEHEM in the news:  Bethlehem issues a call to the world! Details

 

• Open Bethlehem Press Conference on November 17, 2005.
  An initiative spearheaded by the city’s civil institutions to keep alive this 
  international religious and cultural treasure as the illegal wall surrounding the
  town is completed and the existence of this historic city is threatened.
  This conference is co-sponsored by the Bethlehem Association see Details.

• Annual Christmas gathering in CA The Los Angeles Chapter of the

  Bethlehem Association will be holding the annual Christmas Party/Fund Raiser

  on Saturday December 10, 2005  details.

• First International Nonviolence Conference will be held in Bethlehem

  on December 27-30, 2005. Fundraiser for the conference in Washington DC on

  November 6, 2005. Details.

• Article on Bethlehem in the Guardian:  Bethlehem, a place of Christian pilgrimage

  for centuries, will soon be encircled by Israel's security barrier. Is the town to become

  no more than a museum among ancient shrines? John Harris meets the people

  campaigning to keep it alive. Read Full Article
 

• Mayor of Bethlehem in San Francisco: On October 25, Mayor Batarseh

   to meet with elected officials of San Francisco, including Mayor Gavin Newsom,

   as well as, the Archdiocese of San Francisco. A meeting with Bethlehem
   Association Board members is also planned details.

• Trip to Bethlehem:  Arlette Dibsy, our active member in Los Angeles and
   wife of Board member Joseph Dibsy, led a group of eight Bethlehemites on a visit
   to Bethlehem in August. She visited the Arab Women Union, the Antonian Society

   and other organizations. On September 25, 2005, Ms. Afifeh Hazboun, president
   of the Antonian Charitable Society in Bethlehem returned the visit by coming to
   California. Joseph and Arlette Dibsy organized a reception for her at their home

   in Buena Park. Many Bethlehem Association members attended and a fund raiser
   was made for the Antonian Society. Photos and a short article on the event were
   reported in the Arab World News magazine; see link for details

 

 

 

 

             * An Easter story in Jerusalem: Israel accused of discriminating against Catholic priests,

                   Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem and Peter Popham in Rome, The Independent
                * Easter Message from H.B. Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
                * Easter Message from Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem
                * Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem Protests Lack of Visas
             * The Miracle of the Holy Fire, Maria C. Khoury, Ed. D.

  • Mother's Day Party and Fundraiser - May 15, 2004:  The Bethlehem Association and the Nativity Charitable Organization will be hosting a Mother's day party and fundraiser to support family and relatives in Bethlehem [details]

  • Bethlehem Besieged : Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble Fortress Press will be releasing the newest book by Dr. Rev Mitri Raheb in beginning June 2004.  [more] April 8, 2004

  • California Christmas 2003 Fundraising Party: On December 13, 2003, the Nativity Charitable Foundation and the Bethlehem Association hosted a Christmas Fundraising Party at the Grand Cafe Restaurant, La Marida, California. More than 240 members and friends of the Association attended the gathering.  All funds raised was distributed to charitable organizations that aid the needy and the poor in Bethlehem. [more]

  • Denied entry to Israel and Palestine: Mat Horton, a prominent member of the International Solidarity Movement, who gave a speech at the 2003 Bethlehem Convention in San Diego, was denied entry to Israel and Palestine last month.  His plans were to study the Arabic Language at the University of Birzeit, in an attempt to build stronger ties with the Palestinians, and learn more about their struggle for freedom. Mat is known for defending the plight of Palestinians in the USA, and spreading awareness among Americans in regards to the question of Palestine.

  • Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Principles :  By Albert Hazboun. This article intends to provide a quick overview of activities during this pilgrimage. Although it will not neglect the religious and spiritual aspects, it will cover in more details the effort to understand the issues that face the Christian Community in the Holy Land and to provide support and assistance to these “living stones” to help maintain a Christian presence in the Holy Land. [more] March 29, 2004

  • The Malice of Twisting Principles :  By Carol Sansour - Bethlehem :   With the extra judicial assassination of the spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the current Israeli government led by Ariel Sharon, not only halted the peace process but it also sentenced it to death. [more] March 25, 2004

  • The Wall in Bethlehem and the Westbank: get a view of how the wall is affecting Bethlehem and the Westbank. A map of the northern part of Bethlehem showing the wall path, photos of confiscated areas, checkpoints, and closed shops. [view article] February 29, 2004

  • Earthquake in Palestine: On the morning of Wednesday February 11, 2004, at approximately 10:15 AM, an earthquake measuring nearly 5.0 on the Richter scale hit parts of the West Bank and Palestine.  There were no reported casualties, except some minor indirect injuries and small damage to some buildings. [read more] February 15. 2004

  • Wall divides neighborhood in Jerusalem: the Wall splitting a neighborhood, separating Jerusalem from the West Bank, and affecting a hospital for the elderly. An article by Sr. Marie Dominique Croyal  Directress of the Home of Our Lady of Sorrows [view article] January 15, 2004

  • Peace and International Activism: Actor and peace activist Richard Gere visits Bethlehem - By Carol Sansour [read more]

  • Scholarships 2003-2004:  Congratulations to the twenty six students who where granted scholarships for the 2003-2004 academic year. The list of students and photos can be found in the scholarship section. Scholarship requirements, guidelines and an Application Form for 2004 have also been added, scroll  half way down scholarship section then click on relevant links.

  • Christmas in Bethlehem - 2003: A report on Christmas in Bethlehem this year, with photos. Despite the subdued moods in Bethlehem, despite the roadblocks into the town, Christian Palestinians insisted on celebrating Christmas. [more]

  • The Wall: A very informative article by Carol Sansour telling how the wall is affecting many of the residents in Bethlehem. [more]

  • New Jewish apartments at entrance of Bethlehem: Catholic News Services : New Jewish apartments at the entrance to Bethlehem; initial plans for the Jewish complex, located adjacent to Rachel's Tomb, call for three apartments and a religious school in a building owned by a Catholic family.[more - need to scroll down to article in page]

  • Jerusalem's foreign workers bring Christmas to Palestinian children: Catholic News Services : Members of Jerusalem's network of foreign residents are expanding a Christmas-season project that sends shoe boxes filled with gifts to needy Palestinian children. [more - need to scroll down to article in page]

  • The Return to Uncertainty: Diaries from Palestine : a article written by Paola Handal for the Bethlehem Media Center [view article]

  • Bethlehem Media Net : The Bethlehem Media Center launches Bethlehem Media Net Website : its goal is to give the media greater access to and a better understanding of that great majority of seldom-heard Palestinians who want freedom and justice and seek a better future through non-violent means. [Visit the website]

  • The Bethlehem Association Christmas Message:  a message from the executive committee of the BA to the members of our organization: aid sent to Bethlehem this Christmas; new executive committee; and [more]  

  • Enjoying Olive Oil Missed by Settlers:  Fanatically spiteful : A letter published in the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Nov. 30 by Joan Hazbun [more] (December 5, 2003)

  • The 2004 Palestinian Art Wall Calendar:  produced in Canada in cooperation with the League of Palestinian Artists in Ramallah and Palestinian artists worldwide. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the League of Palestinian Artists. The calendar features 12 paintings from Palestinian artists, they are mostly abstract and very colorful paintings. It features large squares for each day to allow entering appointment reminders. It is a great idea for a holiday gift ! for more details visit the website http://www.resistanceart.com 

  • Letters from Afif Safieh :  Three letters from Afif Safieh to President Bush, VP Cheney, and P.M Tony Blair. Mr. Safieh is the Palestinian General Delegate to the United Kingdom & to The Holy See [view letters]

  • Road Blocks : Stories from Bethlehem, how Israeli law is making life unbearable for Palestinians [more]

  • AEI Statement: The Arab Educational Institute in Bethlehem (an affiliated section of Pax Christi International) organizes several cultural and educational courses and activities for the three Palestinian regions: Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah, aimed at deepening and strengthening the Christian and Muslim relations. [more]

  • California Christmas Party and Fundraiser - December 13th 2003:  The Bethlehem Association and the Nativity Charitable Organization will be hosting a Christmas party and fundraiser to support family and relatives in Bethlehem [details]

  • Bethlehem Photos :  Emily Kattan, a member of our association,  has recently traveled to Palestine and is presently working at the Bethlehem Peace Center. Here are some beautiful photos the Emily took of the old town of Bethlehem [more] (October 2003)

  • The Bethlehem Academy of Music :  Despite the current situation in the Westbank, the Bethlehem Academy of Music (founded in 1996) continues to rejuvenate a rich Palestinian culture that dates back to the early 20th century. [more]

  • Palestinian Artist exhibition: Palestinian Artist and Bethlehem Association member Emily Jacir shows her artwork at the Tophane-i Amire cultural centre in Istanbul. [more]  (September 2003)

  • Municipal Council of Bethlehem: The Municipal Council of Bethlehem issues a statement condemning the Israeli decision to Expel Arafat. [more] (September 2003)

  • UN International Day for Peace: The AEI, WIAM Center, and other institutions in Bethlehem issue a statement on the occasion of the UN International Day for Peace  [more] (September 2003)

  • Patriarch Michelle Sabbah in Bethlehem:  HB Patriarch Sabbah gives a speech at Turath Center in Bethlehem: [more] (September 2003)

  • Appeal from the Mayor of Bethlehem: Mayor Hanna Nasser Letter of appeal to stop the construction of the wall that will confiscate parts of Bethlehem. [more] (August 2003)

  • The Wall of Shame : In a visit to Palestine, General Delegate to the UK & to the Holy See Mr. Afif Safieh describes the Wall and how it affects the lives of Palestinians [more] (August 2003)

  • Father Amjad Sabbara : Parish Priest of St Catherine Church in Bethlehem visits California: [more] (August 2003)

  • Changing Minds, One Laugh at a time : The story of two Arab American Standup Comedians, by Sanielle Handal  [more] (August 2003) 

  • Bethlehem Peace Center Press Release : SWEDISH CULTURAL CONSULTANTS DEPORTED FROM ISRAEL.  On Thursday, 21 August 2003, nine Swedish consultants representing various cultural fields and cultural centers, as well the Swedish international development cooperation agency (Sida), landed at Ben Gurion airport to begin their one-week visit to Palestine and, in particular, Bethlehem at the invitation of the Bethlehem Peace Center (BPC). [ more..] (August 2003) 

  • Easter Messages from the Holy Land: Easter message from HB Patriarch Michel Sabbah,  and other letters from Bethlehem and the Holy Land - click here to view  (April 20, 2003) 

  • Meeting with Secretary Colin Powell:  President Edward Hazbun   participated in meetings with Assistant Secretary of State for M.E.affairs, Mr. William Burns, on October 1, 2001 and together with board member Robert Dabdoub, met again with Mr. Burns on March 8, 2002. This was followed by a meeting with Secretary Colin Powell on April 3, 2002. Our concerns about the disastrous situation in Palestine and in Bethlehem were presented forcefully and repeatedly to the State Department.  

  • Economic Damage to Bethlehem District:  See the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce cost estimate of physical and economic damage after Israeli invasion.  Table provides quick summary of damages.  [more]

  • Denial:  Poem on the aftermath of the September 11th Tragedy.  [more]

  • Memorial Mass for Christine Sa'adeh in Montreal Canada : more (April 9, 2003) 

  • Christine Sa'adeh, 10 year old, shot dead by Israeli snipers:  On the way to a pharmacy near the Shepard's Hotel, George Sa'adeh's car was hit by random Israeli fire. His wife and 2 daughters were riding with him in the car. George was hit in the abdomen, and is presently in the ITU in a Jerusalem Hospital. His 10 year old daughter, Christine, was struck with a bullet in the head, and died instantly. His other daughter, Marianne, 14 years old, was hit in the leg. (click here for more details) (March 25, 2003)

  • The "Apartheid Wall" & Land Confiscation in Bethlehem : The Israeli authorities have served notice on several Bethlehem residents including the Mayor that they are confiscating their lands and homes to build an Apartheid Wall through the northern sector of Bethlehem. [New Land Confiscations] (February, 2003)

  • Letters and Articles in the press : See recent letters to the press from Association members, responses and other articles.  [more] (January, 2003)

  • Bethlehem University Ordeal: "What is being done to the people and to Bethlehem itself--once a revered city of Christendom now reduced to a war-torn, dirty, occupied military playground—is reprehensible, outrageous, unjustified"  [Appeal from Bethlehem University]

  • Christmas in Bethlehem Was Not The Same This Year: By Paola Handal:  Christmas in Bethlehem was not the same this year. There were fewer Christmas trees, there were no street decorations and stores were empty. Curfews had overshadowed the spirit of Christmas in Bethlehem and many could not afford a Christmas let alone find the energy and the feeling to celebrate. [More & Photos of Christmas in Bethlehem]

  • 12/25/02: Nadir Rahil from Bethlehem to NPR: In an interview with National Public Radio, Nadir Rahil from Bethlehem gives his views on Christmas in Bethlehem: "At a time when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ, we here in Bethlehem can only pray for peace. I am a Christian Palestinian. I live with my wife and two children, less than a mile from the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.  ... [more]

  • 12/17/02: Bethlehem's Silent Night: Silent streets, except for the sound of the Israeli tanks marching through the town, and army Jeeps reminding people of the curfew everyday over the loudspeaker, is the Silent Night in Bethlehem. Israel has decided to remain in the town for Christmas. Christmas celebrations are therefore cancelled in Bethlehem this year, again..  [more]

  • 12/19/02: Bethlehem Lives, By George Ghattas - HCEF  It is almost a month now...On November 22nd they declared Bethlehem a military closed area. The curfew was imposed on more than 140,000 inhabitants for reason that are still vague up to this very moment. For 28 days our lives have been switched off ... [more]

  • Scholarship Awards for 2002 and 2003: Click List of Awards and Photos.

  • Economic Damage to Bethlehem District:  See the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce cost estimate of physical and economic damage after Israeli invasion.  Table provides quick summary of damages.  [more]

  • See what the Association is doing to help.
    Go to     Appeal for Bethlehem.

 

  • Denial:  Poem on the aftermath of the September 11th Tragedy.  [more]

  • Convention 2001: Go to Report and Photos.

  • Letters to the White House and State Department and the Media: Go to Outreach Section.

  • To report passport problems encountered on visits to Bethlehem and Palestine:  Go to Passport Problems. 

  • Conditions in the Holy Land have deteriorated gravely since September. For reports on the situation from people there and from the media.  Go to Situation in Bethlehem. 

  • Law Library: A new section has been added to serve as a legal resource on the situation in Palestine. It includes information on human rights, Geneva convention, UN resolutions and peace negotiation issues with links to related websites. Go to Law Library

  • Situation in Nazareth and at the Church of the Annunciation: Go to Christian Moslem Issues.

  • 1999 Bethlehem Association Convention in Washington, DC: Go to Convention Report. 
     

    The Bethlehem Association Website: Click for detail

  • Call for Membership Renewals.

    • Association members, who have not renewed their membership
       for 2003, should promptly send their annual dues.

    • Proceeds from the modest membership fees are used to cover the
       cost of operating the Association and maintaining this website.

    • Many phone area codes have changed.
      Please update your phone and E-mail addresses.

RENEWALS & ADDRESS UPDATES