Santa Claus is Coming to Jerusalem Town
HOLY LAND UNCOVERED | Santa Claus is coming to town — Jerusalem town. Who is the famed man who walks around Jerusalem dressed as the gift giver himself? Our Shelby Weiner has the story.
Story:
Christians in Israel and the Palestinian territories joined pilgrims from around the world in celebrating Christmas in the Holy Land, celebrating the birth of Jesus at some of the most revered biblical sites.
Pilgrims from across the world gathered in Bethlehem where a traditional midnight mass held at the Church of the Nativity, built atop the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was among dignitaries who attended the mass, led by the Catholic archbishop for the Holy Land Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
Earlier in Bethlehem crowds, some wearing Santa hats or holding balloons, took in the annual Palestinian scouts and bagpipe band parade through the city’s Manger Square which was decked out with a giant Christmas tree and a nativity scene as carols in Arabic played through speakers.
Later in the day, musical groups took the stage at Manger Square in front of the Christmas tree, illuminated as night fell, to sing Christmas carols.
Some 175,000 Christians live in Israel comprising just two percent of the country’s total population, according to figures published by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Christmas Eve.
Seventy-seven percent of the Christians in Israel are Arab Christians, according to the figures which did not include foreigners not residing in Israel who do not appear in the population register.
In the Palestinian territories, Christians make up less than one percent of the overall population in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Authority Central Bureau of Statistics.
There are 46,850 Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank and 1,138 residing in the Gaza Strip, the PA body said in a report published earlier this year.
This year, however, the local Christian population is celebrating alongside an increased number of pilgrims from around the world following a lull in Christmastime tourism over the past several years due to unrest linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
For more, see our ⬇
Website
Articles:
Live: (Subscription)
Replay: (Subscription)
Social Media
Facebook:
Twitter:
Instagram:
BELGIUM: YASSER ARAFAT ATTENDS BETHLEHEM 2000 CONFERENCE
English/Nat
As Mideast peace negotiators scrambled on Monday to revive stalled talks in Washington, Palestinian National Authority President Yasser Arafat arrived in Brussels.
Originally Arafat was scheduled to resume peace negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Monday, but Netanyahu refused to attend the talks.
As a result, the P-L-O leader was in Belgium for a conference to introduce 'Bethlehem 2000' project.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was in Brussels on Monday after the proposed peace talks with Israel collapsed over the weekend.
Arafat was originally scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, but Netanyahu declined the U-S invitation for a summit.
Instead, Arafat attended a conference on 'Bethlehem 2000' -- an ambitious program of urban rehabilitation, tourism and economic development, religious and cultural celebrations to mark the new millennium from Bethlehem.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
We the Palestinian National Authority, invite all those of good will to participate in the Bethlehem 2000 project, this means we invite you to participate in celebrating the certain and joyful 2000 anniversary of the nativity.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Bethlehem 2000 representative
The plans include a celebration for the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ and to mark the new millennium from Bethlehem in Palestine, the site of the nativity and the source of time.
The Belgian conference was hosted by the European Commission.
Arafat also took time on Monday to visit Belgian King Albert II in the Royal Palace in Brussels.
But as the photo session with the King continued, frantic efforts were underway in Washington to get Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table.
U-S President Bill Clinton met Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Middle East envoy Dennis Ross on Monday to discuss the next step in U-S efforts to revive Middle East peace process.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Belgium - Bethlehem 2000 conference opens
T/I: 10:56:35
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat arrived in Belgium on Monday (11/5) for the opening of an international conference, 'Bethleham 2000'. On his arrival at Brussels' Melsbroek Airport, Arafat gave his comments on Israel's failure to attend Monday's scheduled Middle East peace talks in Washington. In the afternoon, Arafat was due to meet King Albert of Belgium,
whom he was expected to invite to the Bethleham 2000 conference.
SHOWS:
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 11/05
WS exterior Royal Palace,
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and King Albert II walk outside for photo-op on stairs outside palace,
MS two shot,
Arafat being led into palace;
CU document,
Vs meeting,
Arafat and Jacques Santer walk into conference room Palais D'Egmond,
Delegates applaud,
WS conference,
ws two-shot,
cutaway press,
Shaking hands with man;
Vs media,
Zoom in Arafat,
Arafat smiling and gesturing to man at meeting,
WS interior meeting.
2.44
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Jacir Palace Hotel Bethlehem
Jacir Palace Hotel Bethlehem
The 5-star Jacir Palace Hotel Bethlehem offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Bethlehem. The property features a wide range of facilities to make your stay a pleasant experience. All the necessary facilities, including 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, fax machine, are at hand. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and some offering convenient amenities like television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless, internet access – wireless (complimentary), whirlpool bathtub, non smoking rooms. Entertain the hotel's recreational facilities, including hot tub, fitness center, sauna, outdoor pool, spa. Discover all Bethlehem has to offer by making Jacir Palace Hotel Bethlehem your base.
Israel/West Bank - Demonstration on anniversary
T/I: 10:45:53
Commerce in the Arab sector of Jerusalem came to a halt on Saturday (27/06) to mark the 31st anniversary of Israel's annexation of east Jerusalem. A leaflet distributed in the streets during the week called on Palestinians to observe a general strike to respond to the Israeli conspiracy. The leaflet was signed by the Palestinian national forces in Jerusalem. Near the Palace hotel dozens of Palestinian women holding pictures of their loved ones called for Israel to release Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Israeli Peace Now activists arrived in the West Bank village of Walaja, on the way to Bethlehem, to show their support and to protest against the demolition of Palestinian houses.
SHOWS:
JERUSALEM + WEST BANK, 27/06
EAST JERUSALEM, WEST BANK 27/06
VS street scenes,
Traffic,
Closed shops,
Women holding up pictures of their dead men,
Woman holding sign saying peace now;
WS people singing peace songs on street,
Israeli border guard police in the street,
Police patrolling the streets;
WAJALA, WEST BANK 27/06
Young boys walking outside a tent,
Standing next to a house that was levelled on the orders of the Israeli government,
Meeting of people;
SOT Walid Abu Ali, resident This is not the only house here that being threaten to be destroyed. Within the village, there are over 22 houses has being giving warning to be destroyed. So they are (Israeli Authority) trying to immigrate all the residents in the village to live anywhere, they don't care. This action is totaly refused by our own people. Since we belive in the peace process, we believe in leaving together, we have to encourage these people to continue to live in their own land, in their own houses.
Man standing up at meeting and speaking,
CU man,
WS people at, meeting.
2.49
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
No Gaza elections, says Palestinian government in West Bank
(28 Feb 2017) WEST BANK ELECTIONS
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTIONS: AP CLIENTS ONLY
LENGTH: 1:52
SHOTLIST
ASSOCIATED PRESS – AP CLIENTS ONLY
Bethlehem, West Bank – 28 February 2017
1. Wide of Palestinian cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Bethlehem
2. Mid of Palestinian ministers with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah at head of table
3. Various of Palestinian cabinet meeting
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Prime Minister:
Since the Hamas movement refused to hold elections in the Gaza Strip, we will hold the elections in the West Bank on May 13 and we will postpone the election in Gaza according to the law and according to the request letter of Hana Nasser, the Head of the Election Committee, who requested we postpone the election in Gaza because it's not possible to do it in the meantime.
5. Hamdallah getting into car
6. Sign for Convention Palace, where the Palestinian cabinet meeting took place
7. Wide of Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman, in office
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman:
The decision of the Palestinian government in the West Bank to hold the local elections in the West Bank without doing it in Gaza is a factional decision, and this will entrench the division and destroy the democratic process and it shows that this government is not eligible to help the Palestinian people anymore.
9. Wide of political analyst Jihad Harb entering office
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jihad Harb, political analyst:
This decision will prevent the possibility of the people in Gaza choosing their representatives in the local councils, which will limit the possibility of using the elections as a gateway to end the division.
11. Wide of Harb in office
LEADIN
The Palestinian government in the West Bank has announced the upcoming municipal elections will not take place in the Gaza Strip.
The territory is ruled by Hamas and the Palestinian Prime Minister said the Islamic militant group had refused to let them be held there.
STORYLINE
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah sits at the head of the table at a cabinet meeting in Bethlehem.
They're discussing changes to plans for the upcoming municipal elections, which Hamdallah claims have been caused by Hamas' refusal to allow them to be held in the Gaza Strip.
We will hold the elections in the West Bank on May 13 and we will postpone the election in Gaza according to the law and according to the request letter of Hana Nasser, the Head of the Election Committee, who requested we postpone the election in Gaza because it's not possible to do it in the meantime, he says.
The Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement run autonomous enclaves in the West Bank.
The elections were originally set for last October, but were postponed after Hamas courts dropped most of Abbas' electoral lists.
Hamas' spokesman Fawzi Barhoum condemns the announcement saying it will destroy the democratic process.
It shows that this government is not eligible to help the Palestinian people anymore, he adds.
Political analyst Jihad Harb adds that it will limit the possibility of using the elections as a gateway to end the division, since people in Gaza won't be able to choose their representatives.
Palestinians have been split since Hamas seized Gaza in 2007 from Abbas' forces in bloody street battles.
Repeated reconciliation attempts have failed.
Hamas withdrew from local elections in 2012. The last general election, with both Hamas and Fatah competing, took place in 2006.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded:
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Palestinian president arrives for Mideast summit
1. Skyline shot of Sharm el-Sheik
2. Wide of airport terminal
3. Plane carrying Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas taxiing on runway
4. Abbas disembarking plane, greeting officials
5. Cutaway of Palestinian flag
6. Various of Abbas getting into vehicle and leaving airport
7. Wide exterior of 'Jolie Ville' Golf Resort
8. Reporters gathered around Abbas in foyer
9. Various of Abbas walking inside resort
10. Zoom in on convoy of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arriving, Mubarak walking into building
STORYLINE:
A summit bringing together Israeli and Arab leaders was set to get underway at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik on Monday in an effort to boost Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his struggle with Hamas.
But Israel downplayed the summit's expectations, saying the meeting was not the time to enter negotiations on a final peace deal.
Despite Israel's release of desperately needed funds it has withheld from the Palestinian government Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert cautioned there would be no dramatic breakthrough on Monday, rejecting Palestinian calls to start talks on a peace treaty.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has invited Abbas, Olmert and Jordan's King Abdullah II to Sharm el-Sheik in a show of support for the Palestinian president.
The meeting, expected to get under way on Monday afternoon, is also meant to showcase that Abbas of Fatah can move ahead with peacemaking.
Peace efforts no doubt will be complicated by the emergence of a two-headed Palestine, ruled by the Iranian-backed Hamas in Gaza and the Western-backed Fatah in the West Bank.
But Abbas and Arab countries have been urging Israel to take immediate advantage of the Hamas militants' expulsion from the coalition government.
Egypt and Jordan have thrown their support behind Abbas, fearing Hamas' Gaza takeover could spread turmoil.
The Sharm el-Sheik summit comes a day ahead of a gathering in Jerusalem of the Quartet of Mideast negotiators, the U.S., EU, U.N. and Russia.
The hope is that the meeting in Egypt could lead to more in-depth international efforts to prod peace talks that broke down amid violence in 2001.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Bethlehem | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Bethlehem
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Bethlehem (; Arabic: بيت لحم Bayt Lahm Arabic pronunciation: [beːt.laħm], House of Meat; Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם Bet Lehem, Hebrew pronunciation: [bet ˈleχem], House of Bread; Ancient Greek: Βηθλεέμ Greek pronunciation: [bɛːtʰle.ém]; Latin: Bethleem; initially named after Canaanite fertility god Lehem) is a Palestinian city located in the central West Bank, Palestine, about 10 km (6.2 miles) south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate. The economy is primarily tourist-driven.The earliest known mention of the city was in the Amarna correspondence of 1350–1330 BCE during its habitation by the Canaanites. The Hebrew Bible, which says that the city of Bethlehem was built up as a fortified city by Rehoboam, identifies it as the city David was from and where he was crowned as the king of Israel. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke identify Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem was destroyed by the Emperor Hadrian during the second-century Bar Kokhba revolt; its rebuilding was promoted by Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who commissioned the building of its great Church of the Nativity in 327 CE. The church was badly damaged by the Samaritans, who sacked it during a revolt in 529, but was rebuilt a century later by Emperor Justinian I.
Bethlehem became part of Jund Filastin following the Muslim conquest in 637. Muslim rule continued in Bethlehem until its conquest in 1099 by a crusading army, who replaced the town's Greek Orthodox clergy with a Latin one. In the mid-13th century, the Mamluks demolished the city's walls, which were subsequently rebuilt under the Ottomans in the early 16th century. Control of Bethlehem passed from the Ottomans to the British at the end of World War I. Bethlehem came under Jordanian rule during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and was later captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Since the 1995 Oslo Accords, Bethlehem has been administered by the Palestinian Authority.Bethlehem now has a Muslim majority, but is still home to a significant Palestinian Christian community. Bethlehem's chief economic sector is tourism, which peaks during the Christmas season when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity, as they have done for almost 2,000 years. Bethlehem has over 30 hotels and 300 handicraft workshops. Rachel's Tomb, an important Jewish holy site, is located at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.
Trump in Bethlehem: Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas holds press conference with US President
Subscribe to France 24 now:
FRANCE 24 live news stream: all the latest news 24/7
Trump in Bethlehem: Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas holds press conference with US President
Visit our website:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
Like us on Facebook:
Follow us on Twitter:
DIY Destinations - Palestine / Palestinian Territories Budget Travel Show | Full Episode
This special episode of DIY Destinations featuring occupied Palestine, and its FREE and inexpensive, must-see attractions from the North to the South, including from understanding the importance and visiting oldest olive tree in al-Walaja, the birthplace of Jesus in Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, and retracing his footstep in Wadi Qelt to Jericho along the way visiting St. George Monastery and Mount of Temptation, Hisham's Palace and Herod's Palace. We'll also visit Aida Refugee Camps to see the realty of life under military occupation and Al-Shuhada Street. We'll also sample the street food and sweet Kanafeh in Nablus and experience Turkish bath. In Jenin, we'll visit Cinema Jenin Project and famous largest oldest church in the world in Burgin's St. George Church. All done safely, inexpensive and easily!
Our mission is to create a free publicly funded travel series that is delivered through streaming and file sharing sites. Our goal is to take fear out of traveling and inspire our audience to go far and explore the magnificent planet earth inexpensive and safely.
We want all of us to creating connections with new people, experiencing other cultures and gaining a greater understanding of each other by offer a unique perspective of traveling on a budget.
Please like and subscribed on:
Facebook -
Twitter -
Pinterest -
Our website -
Land of the Bible: The City of David - Ancient, Biblical Jerusalem
Episode #2 of Land of the Bible, on Israel Now News - Episode 192, highlighting the significance of the City of David, site of ancient, Biblical Jerusalem, including the origins of the discovery of the City of David, as well as the location believed to the palace of King David and the royal government center of the Davidic dynasty.
Filming Credit: Jerusalem Media Group
Dinosaur exhibition opens in Bethlehem
(15 Mar 2017) LEADIN
An exhibition of dinosaurs has appeared in Bethlehem for the very first time.
The collection of giant models and animatronics is a gift from the city of Bath in England.
STORYLINE
It's not everyday you get to meet an insect that is bigger than you are.
But these children are at a special exhibition - the first of its kind to appear in Bethlehem.
The natural history museum for dinosaurs and large insects has opened at the Convention Palace of Bethlehem.
Palestinian Education Minister Sabri Saidam is amongst the officials at the opening:
This is the first time we have seen dinosaurs in Palestine and as I said in the beginning, dinosaurs came back to the land of Bethlehem. And this is the development of our relationship with academic institutions, communities and municipalities like Bath in England which makes this show funded by England's community, he says.
The collection is a gift from the English city of Bath. The Bethlehem-Bath Links organisation has years of experience of charity work in Bethlehem.
The mayor of Bath, Peter Downey, is also chairman of the charity:
Palestinians have got enough problems with the occupation but we want to raise the horizons of the kids so they can look beyond the problems and enable themselves to lead fulfilling lives, enable to expose themselves to all the opportunities that are still here, he says.
Visitors to the exhibition get to see insect and dinosaur models including a three metre high T-Rex.
It takes the children from a world of words and images to the real world and also a fantasy world, says teacher Naden Issa who bought her school children to the exhibition.
Officials including Minister of Culture Ihab Bseiso and Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun also attend the opening.
The exhibition is housed in a 17th century Ottoman castle in a location known as Solomon's Pools in Bethlehem.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
WRAP - Road map meeting in Jordan with Sharon, Abu Mazen, Bush, Abdullah
1. Wide shot of US President George W Bush, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon waving to media
2. Wide shot of Sharon sitting in garden
3. Wide shot of Bush and Abbas in garden
4. Wide shot of Bush, Sharon and Abbas sitting in garden
5. Mid shot of Abbas signing summit book
6. Various of Sharon signing book
7. Close up of signatures
8. SOUNDBITE (English) King Abdullah of Jordan:
Many will view the compromises that will be made during your negotiations as painful concessions but why not view them as peace offerings, ones that will provide in return the priceless gifts of hope, security and freedom for our children and our childrens' children?
9. Cutaway of briefing
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Prime Minister (ROUGH TRANSLATION - PRECISE TRANSLATION TO FOLLOW)
I repeat our renunciation of terrorism. The methods are inconsistent with our beliefs, they conflict with the kinds of state we wish to build. We will exert all our efforts to stop terrorism.
11. Cutaway of briefing
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Minister:
I want to reiterate that Israel is a society governed by the rule of law. Thus we will immediately begin to remove unauthorised outposts. Israel seeks peace with all its Arab neighbours. Israel is prepared to negotiate in good faith wherever there are partners.
13. SOUNDBITE (English) George W Bush, US President:
All sides have made important commitments and the United States will strive to see these commitments fulfilled. My government will provide training and support new restructured Palestinian security service and we'll place a mission on ground, led by Ambassador John Wolf. This mission will be charged with helping the parties to move towards peace monitoring their progress and stating clearly who is fulfilling their responsibilities. And we expect both parties to keep their promises.
14. Wide shot of car convoy carrying US President George W. Bush driving onto tarmac
15. Mid shot of Bush exiting vehicle
16. Wide shot of Bush climbing stairs to walk aboard plane and waving goodbye
STORYLINE:
After a three-way summit with United States (US) President George W Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged to dismantle illegal settlements in Palestinian areas, while the new Palestinian leader renounced all terrorism against Israel.
Both steps were sought by Bush as he brought the two sides together in the Jordanian port of Aqaba in a bid to advance Middle East peace.
Bush promised training and support for a new, restructured Palestinian security service, and said he would place longtime diplomat John Wolf at the head of a US mission on the ground to help the parties and monitor progress.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (also known as Abu Mazen) renounced all terrorism against Israel, a crucial step sought by Bush as he brought the two sides together in a bid to advance Middle East peace.
Abbas, standing at a podium alongside Bush, Sharon and host King Abdullah of Jordan, promised to act against incitement and hatred against Israel, including using Palestinian security forces.
Sharon said Israel would begin to remove unauthorised settlements.
Abdullah called upon the Israelis and Palestinians to think of the concessions they had to make for peace as gifts for future generations in the region.
Before the three-way session, Bush met Sharon and Abbas separately.
Shortly after, the US president met Sharon and Abbas together in the gardens of the summer palace used by Abdullah, where the summit was being held.
The three leaders also posed for a photo for the waiting media.
Later Bush left Jordan on his plane, Air Force One, to fly to Doha, Qatar, to visit US troops.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Securing an economic future for Palestinians
[WATCH] Rawabi, A planned city for Palestinians in the West Bank:
Samir Hulileh, CEO of PADICO HOLDING talks with Martin Fletcher the private sector's role in rebuilding the Palestinian economy. We are under occupation, Hulileh said. We cannot [become] prosperous under occupation. We cannot increase GDP by 30 or 40 percent. We cannot employ everybody. So everybody is trying his best...to create jobs and to create some hope for the generation to come.
Historic hotel caught in crossfire
(1 Dec 2015) LEAD-IN:
The Jacir Palace Hotel has been a prized part of Bethlehem life for more than one hundred years.
But its success has always been tied to that of the city itself.
Once again the situation in Bethlehem is strained as Palestinian youths and Israeli authorities clash.
STORY-LINE:
Since 1910, the soaring stone archways and wrought iron balconies of the Jacir Palace Hotel have watched over Bethlehem.
Initially a private home, it is now a hotel with 250 rooms waiting to be filled.
But for the last two months it's been at the heart of an area that sees near-daily clashes.
It's so close to the action that the regal entrance is often engulfed with tear gas and gunfire several times a week.
One employee died when Israeli troops shot him during a demonstration in mid-October.
The result: much of the hotel is now empty as reservations have dropped by 50 percent.
The number of bookings went down, and I think it went down not only in The Jacir Palace Hotel but also at all the other hotels in Bethlehem. Christmas this year is not expected to be like the previous years, it will be really less in terms of occupancy, says Johnny Kattan, maintenance manager of the luxury hotel.
Those guests who brave the conditions must use a back door during clashes.
When clashes take place, we close the palace and secure it, and we make sure that people don't reach places considered dangerous, or might be affected by (tear) gas. What is going on doesn't affect the nature of the services we provide because the hotel is big and the palace is separated, says Krattan.
The festive decorations are going up, but the annual Christmas party has been cancelled.
It reflects a sombre but determined mood for a city built around the Christmas spirit.
The parties were cancelled, but the spirit of Christmas will be with us this year, we just started decorating for the holiday, so everyone can feel that they are in the town of Jesus. So the pilgrim who is coming will live and feel the holiday atmosphere, so the hotel will be fully decorated, says Nadia Mitwasi Twemeh, marketing supervisor at the hotel.
With time, Bethlehem - and the complications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - have surrounded the property.
20 years after the palace was completed, the Jacir family went bankrupt and were forced to live in servant's quarters.
In 1948, Palestinians who fled Israel settled in the Aida refugee camp, overlooking the palace.
The property has been a barracks, a prison and a school.
Kattan said renovations for the hotel began during the optimism generated by the Oslo Peace Accords, signed between 1993 and 1995.
The late Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat laid the hotel cornerstone in 1998.
But by the year 2000 clashes had begun between Palestinian youth and Israeli troops.
The hotel opened for just for few months before business evaporated during the second Intifada.
Twice during the Palestinian uprising, Israeli soldiers took over the hotel and used it as a military position.
And more recently, the hotel has been a flashpoint too.
Last Friday, dozens of Palestinian young men hurled stones at Israeli soldiers near the hotel.
Troops shot tear gas canisters at the crowds, sending plumes of smoke in arcs in front of the palm trees and potted plants of the hotel's front entrance.
Empty metal tear gas canisters littered the pavement a day after the confrontation, as well as scorch marks from burning tires.
The city is preparing for Christmas and decorating the tree which stands outside the Church of the Nativity.
But Bethlehem Mayor, Vera Baboun, says the city would only string up Christmas lights on Manger Square and two nearby streets, instead of across downtown.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
فندق قصر جاسر وفوزه بجائزة الفندق التاريخي لسنة 2017 العالمية
اعداد المركز المسيحي للاعلام
Bethlehem | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
00:03:02 1 History
00:03:11 1.1 Canaanite period
00:05:18 1.2 Israelite and Judean period
00:07:09 1.3 Classical period
00:10:27 1.4 Middle Ages
00:14:07 1.5 Ottoman era
00:16:50 1.6 Modern era
00:19:42 2 Geography
00:21:42 3 Climate
00:23:03 4 Demographics
00:23:12 4.1 Population
00:26:18 4.2 Christian population
00:29:34 5 Economy
00:31:16 5.1 Tourism
00:32:54 6 Religious significance and commemoration
00:33:06 6.1 Birthplace of Jesus
00:35:24 6.2 Christmas celebrations
00:36:08 6.3 Other religious festivals
00:36:54 7 Culture
00:37:04 7.1 Embroidery
00:38:23 7.2 Mother-of-pearl carving
00:38:56 7.3 Cultural centers and museums
00:40:36 8 Local government
00:42:10 8.1 Mayors
00:42:28 9 Education
00:43:53 10 Transportation
00:45:28 11 Twin towns and sister cities
00:45:41 12 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
Listen on Google Assistant through Extra Audio:
Other Wikipedia audio articles at:
Upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
Speaking Rate: 0.9549287968970199
Voice name: en-GB-Wavenet-C
I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
Bethlehem (; Arabic: بيت لحم Bayta Laḥm, House of Meat; Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם Bet Leḥem, Hebrew pronunciation: [bet ˈleχem], House of Bread; Ancient Greek: Βηθλεέμ Greek pronunciation: [bɛːtʰle.ém]; Latin: Bethleem; initially named after Canaanite fertility god Lehem) is a city located in the central West Bank, Palestine, about 10 km (6.2 miles) south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate. The economy is primarily tourist-driven, peaking during the Christmas season, when Christians make pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity. Rachel's Tomb, an important Jewish holy site, is located at the northern entrance of Bethlehem.
The earliest known mention of the city was in the Amarna correspondence of 1350–1330 BCE during its habitation by the Canaanites. The Hebrew Bible, which says that the city of Bethlehem was built up as a fortified city by Rehoboam, identifies it as the city David was from and where he was crowned as the king of Israel. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke identify Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem was destroyed by the Emperor Hadrian during the second-century Bar Kokhba revolt; its rebuilding was promoted by Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who commissioned the building of its great Church of the Nativity in 327 CE. The church was badly damaged by the Samaritans, who sacked it during a revolt in 529, but was rebuilt a century later by Emperor Justinian I.
Bethlehem became part of Jund Filastin following the Muslim conquest in 637. Muslim rule continued in Bethlehem until its conquest in 1099 by a crusading army, who replaced the town's Greek Orthodox clergy with a Latin one. In the mid-13th century, the Mamluks demolished the city's walls, which were subsequently rebuilt under the Ottomans in the early 16th century. Control of Bethlehem passed from the Ottomans to the British at the end of World War I. Bethlehem came under Jordanian rule during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and was later captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Since the 1995 Oslo Accords, Bethlehem has been administered by the Palestinian Authority.Following an influx of refugees as a result of Israeli advances in the 1967 war, Bethlehem has a Muslim majority, but is still home to a significant Palestinian Christian community. It is now encircled and encroached upon by dozens of Israeli settlements and the Israeli West Bank barrier, which separates both Muslim and Christian communities from their land and livelihoods, and sees a steady exodus of those from both communities being driven out.
Palestinian gunmen killed, wounded children, Peres
Aram Checkpoint - 10 March 2002
1. Various, Aram roadblock between Ramallah and Jerusalem
2. Israeli troops and vehicles at roadblock
3. Aftermath of shooting of Palestinian who tried to bypass roadblock
4. Various, security arguing with Palestinians
5. Palestinian woman at roadblock
6. People at side of road
7. Robotic vehicle at scene
8. People gathered around ambulance
9. Various, scene of incident
Dheisheh - March 10, 2002
10. Ambulance driving down street
11. Various, wounded children at hospital
12. Israeli tank and ambulance at Dheisheh
13. Debris on street
14. Dheisheh kindergarten sign
15. Various, Israeli tank
16. Woman on street
17. UN food distribution in Dheisheh
18. Various, tanks and troops inside camp
Sur Baher - March 10, 2002
19. Wide shot of four Israeli soldiers walking down road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem near Sur Baher
20. Various, Israeli troops and emergency services at scene of car blast
21. Wrecked car on back of truck
22. Wide shot, road
Jerusalem - March 10, 2002
16. Setup shot, Shimon Peres at news conference
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister:
I think its becoming more costly and more worrying on both sides. I believe that in addition to the visit of General Zinni this week, the Israelis and the Palestinians have to come together to agree about an immediate agenda. I think we don't have much time.
18. Wide shot, Peres speaking
STORYLINE:
In the latest of several recent Israeli incursions into Palestinian refugee camps, soldiers searched house-to-house on Sunday for militants in the Dheisheh refugee camp on the edge of Bethlehem in the West Bank.
However, Palestinian groups said militants fled the camp on Saturday night after Israel tanks and other armoured
vehicles took up positions just outside.
Meanwhile Israeli troops shot dead a suspected Palestinian suicide attacker as he tried to bypass the Aram roadblock between Ramallah and Jerusalem.
The army said the man was carrying a Kalashnikov machine gun, ammunition, and two hand grenades.
And two Palestinians died in mysterious circumstances when their car blew up near Sur Baher on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Palestinians say Israeli forces attacked the vehicle, but Israel says it's possible the car contained a bomb that exploded prematurely.
On the political front, Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres called for direct talks with the Palestinians to break the cycle of violence, in addition to mediation by US envoy General Zinni who's due to visit the region this week.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
LIVE: Trump meets Abbas in Bethlehem
US President Donald Trump meets President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem on Tuesday, May 23.
Their meeting takes place on the last day of Trump’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Video on Demand:
Contact: cd@ruptly.tv
Twitter:
Facebook:
WRAP Palestinian PM, president comment on the ceasefire; killing in Gaza
Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - 30 January 2007
1. Ambulance outside morgue of Naser Hospital
2. Men looking at body of Hamas gunman in morgue
3. Man covering body and closing unit
4. Pan of ambulance leaving
Gaza City, Gaza Strip - 30 January 2007
5. Tilt down exterior of building
6. Security outside building
7. Cars arriving at office
8. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh walking towards microphones, pull out to wide of scene
9. Cameraman
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister:
In the first day of implementing the settlements on ground, I can say that this is a new page which expresses a strong will to keep calm and stability on the Palestinian streets. We can heal our wounds, bless our martyrs and victims, pray for the speedy recovery of injuries, and call all the good efforts for unity in order to confirm the new understanding issued by the presidency and the prime minister.
11. Haniyeh walking into office
12. Various of tents set up in protest against the tension and corruption
Cairo, Egypt - 30 January 2007
13. Wide exterior shot of Egyptian Presidential Palace
14. Various of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian delegation meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ++MUTE++
Cairo, Egypt - 30 January 2007
14. Cutaway
15. Abbas entering news conference
16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President:
If we cannot reach (an agreement to) form a government, if our efforts fail to form it, then we will resort to holding early legislative and presidential elections.
17. Wide shot of news conference
18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President:
My opinion concerning this operation (Palestinian suicide bombing in Israeli resort city of Eilat) is that I disagree and object to it, and I condemn it, and there is no importance to it and it won't serve anything at all. I don't think this operation will affect the truce between us and the Israelis in the Gaza Strip.
19. Wide shot of news conference
STORYLINE
The killing of a Hamas militant on Tuesday overshadowed a tenuous cease-fire between rival factions which took hold in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, with Hamas officials directing the blame on militants from the rival Fatah group.
Hamas supporters took to the airwaves, saying those behind the campaign against their group must be targeted.
However, Hamas officials said they would not retaliate for the killing.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas called for a total halt to the violence, which has killed 36 people in the past five days.
The cease-fire otherwise resulted in relative quiet for much of the day.
Even if the truce holds, it does not necessarily mean peace for Gaza after a Palestinian suicide bomber from Gaza killed three people in the Israeli resort city of Eilat on Monday.
Speaking in Cairo, after talks with the Egyptian president, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas denounced the suicide bombing in Eilat.
I condemn it, Abbas said. But, he added, I don't think this operation will affect the truce between us and the Israelis in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas, which controls the Palestinian parliament and Cabinet, praised the bombing as legitimate resistance.
Meanwhile, Abbas said he felt bad about the continuing street battles between security forces and militia loyal to Hamas and his Fatah party.
Referring to his negotiations with Hamas on forming a new government, Abbas said it was only agreed that the Executive Force would be dissolved and that some of its troops would join the regular security apparatus.
Abbas said he hoped that the long drawn-out talks would conclude with a deal so that the two sides could put an end to the gunbattles.
He did not set a time limit for the talks with Hamas.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive: