{"id":50885,"date":"2025-12-03T09:17:26","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T09:17:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/50885\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T09:17:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T09:17:26","slug":"bethlehem-governor-warns-of-intensifying-israeli-measures-targeting-the-city-and-calls-for-global-church-intervention-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/50885\/","title":{"rendered":"Bethlehem Governor Warns of Intensifying Israeli Measures Targeting the City and Calls for Global Church Intervention"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bethlehem \/ PNN \/\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bethlehem Governor Mohammad Taha Abu A\u2019liya said on Thursday that the governorate, and Bethlehem in particular, is facing an escalating Israeli campaign of settlement expansion and settler violence, reinforced by repeated army incursions and military protection for settlers.<\/p>\n

Speaking during a meeting with journalists \u2014 attended by Deputy Governor Dawoud Al-Hamri and several department heads \u2014 Abu A\u2019liya warned that Bethlehem is issuing \u201ca cry for help\u201d to His Holiness the Pope, church leaders and governments worldwide, urging immediate action to halt Israeli measures targeting the city. He stressed that the Christmas season is an important moment to raise this alarm, noting that continued Israeli policies threaten to erase Palestinian presence if no serious international action is taken.<\/p>\n

Abu A\u2019liya said U.S. support for Israel and the silence \u2014 or mere statements of concern \u2014 from other countries have effectively granted Israel greater space to commit further violations. He urged U.S. churches that have publicly expressed opposition to Israeli occupation policies to take action to help protect Bethlehem.<\/p>\n

The governor stressed that Bethlehem is among the most heavily targeted areas due to its proximity and connection to Jerusalem, which is facing an extensive and aggressive campaign of Judaization. He highlighted ongoing construction of hotels on lands between Bethlehem and Jerusalem as part of an Israeli plan to undermine Palestinian life in both cities by imposing a new reality through settlements and a network of roads and railways designed to entrench Israeli control.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Abu A\u2019liya also referred to the latest wave of settlement expansion in Bethlehem, including the announced establishment of a new settlement in Beit Sahour\u2019s Ush Ghrab area, supported by far-right Israeli ministers backing settlers who established an outpost there. He noted continued land confiscation orders across the governorate \u2014 from the western rural areas and Al-Makhrour to the southern and eastern regions of Bethlehem \u2014 calling for urgent intervention by Pope Francis and the international community to halt settlement policies.<\/p>\n

The governor condemned settler attacks in Bethlehem\u2019s villages \u2014 most recently in Khillet al-Louz, Al-Jab\u2019a, Al-Rashayda, Kisan, Al-Maniya, Nahalin, Husan, Al-Walaja and Battir \u2014 stating that these attacks are part of a systematic Israeli policy for which the Israeli government bears full responsibility. He urged journalists and media organisations to intensify coverage of settler and army violations, particularly during the Christmas season.<\/p>\n

Abu A\u2019liya added that Israeli policies aim to forcibly displace Palestinians, especially in remote areas. Several communities east of Teqoa, in Al-Rashayda and Kisan, have already been displaced due to repeated settler attacks carried out under army protection.<\/p>\n

He said President Mahmoud Abbas continues to give special attention to Bethlehem, referring to the President\u2019s recent meeting with the Pope in the Vatican, during which he briefed him on developments in Bethlehem, Jerusalem and across Palestine. He stressed that the President closely follows the situation in Bethlehem and emphasises the city\u2019s central role in conveying Palestine\u2019s message to the world, especially during the Christmas season. \u201cOur foundation is clear,\u201d he said. \u201cWe remain on our land \u2014 we do not leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Abu A\u2019liya praised the efforts of all parties, including the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, headed by Executive Committee member Dr Ramzi Khouri, as well as municipal leaders, church representatives, clergy, and the Ministry of Tourism, all working to present Bethlehem in its best form during the holiday season.<\/p>\n

He noted that Palestinian institutions have held multiple meetings and drafted plans to confront Israeli measures and expose them internationally. In the coming days, the governorate will organise a tour for ambassadors, consuls and foreign diplomats to brief them on Israeli violations and the risks facing Bethlehem.<\/p>\n

The governor said the Christmas season officially began with the ceremonial entry of the Custos of the Holy Land into Bethlehem, marking the start of celebrations. He noted that a comprehensive Palestinian plan is in place to ensure the success of all events, with coordination among municipalities, churches, security agencies and civil society organisations. He stressed the critical role journalists and media outlets can play during this period.<\/p>\n

Abu A\u2019liya thanked Palestinian journalists and media institutions in Bethlehem for their work despite difficult conditions and the risks they face, expressing confidence in their ability to convey the Palestinian narrative to global audiences. \u201cOur only option is steadfastness on our land,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He highlighted the ability of Palestinian media today to challenge and counter Israeli narratives that depict Palestinians as aggressors and portray Israel as a democratic victim. He said the genocide in Gaza has exposed these claims as false, while Palestinian media coverage from Gaza, Jerusalem and across Palestine has helped mobilise global public opinion against Israeli crimes. \u201cThis proves that media is a central pillar in confronting the occupation\u2019s narrative,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Journalist Mousa Sha\u2019er, speaking on behalf of the Palestinian Journalists\u2019 Syndicate, discussed efforts to organise and facilitate Christmas coverage. He noted that the syndicate held meetings with the governorate and municipality and agreed to issue special press badges to support journalists in conducting their work. These badges will be distributed at the Summit Centre (Markaz Al-Summit) in cooperation with the municipality, as is done annually.<\/p>\n

Sha\u2019er stressed that journalists are Bethlehem\u2019s voice to the world, urging them to prepare reports and stories that reflect the Palestinian reality in all its dimensions. He said coverage should highlight unity, resilience and the distinctive cultural and social identity of Bethlehem, which has long been a model of Palestinian creativity.<\/p>\n

The meeting concluded with an open discussion on Israeli measures affecting the Christmas season, Palestinian efforts to ensure internal security, and Bethlehem\u2019s stability. Speakers affirmed that Bethlehem remains safe and calm internally, while the main challenge lies in Israeli restrictions. The meeting also examined the city\u2019s holiday security plan, internal preparations, the situation in surrounding villages, the importance of forming local protection committees, and the need for a unified, factual media message to provide accurate information to the international press and strengthen the Palestinian narrative.<\/p>\n

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