(24 Dec 2006)
Bethlehem
1. Wide of Nativity Church
2. Pan down to people gathering outside Nativity Church
3. Young boy dressed in Santa costume, tilt down to a bill in his hand
4. Various of security
5. Security gates
6. Various of policeman checking car for bombs
7. Policeman walking
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Victor Batarse, Mayor of Bethlehem:
"This small city of Bethlehem, the cradle of Christianity, where Jesus Christ was born, is under siege. It is surrounded by the wall of separation and it has become a big prison for its citizens. But with all this oppression, this economic stress, physical stress, psychological stress, we are defying all these obstacles and we are celebrating Christmas so that we'll put joy into the faces of our children, joy to the citizens of Bethlehem. This city sends at Christmas a message of peace and love, not only to our citizens, not only to the Holy Land, but to all around the world."
9. End shot
10. Various of Christmas decorations
11. Various of tourists entering Nativity Church
12. Wide of two security guards
13. Wide of central Bethlehem, AUDIO bells ringing
Jerusalem
14. Wide shot of Old City
15. Skyline shot
16. People in Old City
17. Various of Christmas procession
STORYLINE:
Amidst political tension between the Palestinians and Israel and internal Palestinian unrest, on Sunday Christians in Bethlehem and Jerusalem prepared to celebrate their holiest day.
In Bethlehem, Christmas decorations hung in Manger square, adjacent to the Church of Nativity, where it is believed Jesus was born.
Due to the tensions in the region fewer than normal tourists are expected to arrive in the holy city, making the local Christian community more prominent in this years celebrations.
Bethlehem is home to both Christians and Muslims who have traditionally co-existed peacefully. The city is a destination for faithful Christians from around the world.
As pilgrims arrived at the Church of Nativity the Mayor of Bethlehem referred to the city as "under siege" and criticised the Israeli-built wall around the traditional Christian site.
"With all this oppression, this economic stress, physical stress, psychological stress, we are defying all these obstacles and we are celebrating Christmas," Victor Batarse said.
"This city sends at Christmas a message of peace and love, not only to our citizens, not only to the Holy Land, but to all around the world," he added.
After six years of Israel-Palestinian fighting, the town is now walled in by Israel's West Bank separation barrier.
Israel says the wall is meant to stop Palestinian suicide bombers, but Palestinians see it as land grab.
In Jerusalem, the Christmas mood could be felt in the Old City.
Nonetheless, the increased presence of security forces served as a reminder that the holiday spirit in the region cannot be disconnected of political connotations.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
