THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601040009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Bethlehem, the city where tradition says Jesus was born, has recently come under Palestinian control as part of the Israel-PLO autonomy accords. The Dec. 24 celebration in Bethlehem that the news media spotlighted calls for clarification.
The Christian population in Bethlehem is a small minority. The majority are Arab Muslims. Under Israel's control, Bethlehem Christians enjoyed full freedom to celebrate Christmas, and they did so. The fact is that Israeli soldiers also had the task of protecting all who wished to make a pilgrimage to this holy city, specifically during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
The celebration Dec. 24 in Bethlehem was very cleverly contrived by Yasser Arafat to coincide with Christmas. It must be noted that the fireworks - the big festive celebration - were not to celebrate Jesus' birth but intended to give full glory to Arafat.
In all reality this was a political rally for the up-and-coming elections, at which time Arafat has four opponents.
MARILYN STEIN
Chesapeake, Dec. 25, 1995 by CNB