Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Christmas in Bethlehem
Aired December 24, 2002 - 10:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Up first, the Biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ, and the political crossroads of today's tensions in the Middle East. Israeli troops have withdrawn from Bethlehem's Manger Square, but the city remains stripped of any holiday decorations.
Our Kelly Wallace is standing by in Manger Square. Let's check in with her now and get the very latest view.
Hello, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.
Well, that decision by the Israelis was somewhat expected, because Israel was facing tremendous international pressure, even pressure from the Vatican, to pull its forces out, at least from the center of the city of Bethlehem so that Christians could go ahead and enjoy the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.
But despite the Israeli decision, many tourists and many Christians are staying away.
Just take a look at the scene below me. This is Manger Square. Normally on Christmas Eve, it is packed with tourist and Christians, but, again, today, the place is relatively empty, and, again, also the mayor of Bethlehem has decided not to have any official holiday decorations, all a form, Palestinians say, a protest against Israel's occupation of Bethlehem.
Earlier today, this was the scene. It was the annual Christmas Eve procession of Catholic clergy, here to the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born. And you can see some Palestinians used the occasions for protest. Some were holding pictures of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. For the second year in a row, Israelis are banning Mr. Arafat from coming here to attend midnight mass services. Palestinians say they are protesting against the Israeli presence in the city.
One Palestinian activist described the message this way:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the demonstration against occupation. It's raising our voice that this occupation must end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, the Israelis for their part say they don't want to be here. The Israelis came back, they say, after being away for three months. They came back after a November 21st suicide bombing. The bomber was from Bethlehem, blowing up a Jerusalem bus, killing 11 Israelis, including four children, and, again, Leon, sources I've talked to on the Israeli side say they hope forces don't have to come back here, but the onus is on the Palestinians to crack down on terror -- Leon..
HARRIS: Sure, understood, Kelly. Now we also know, Kelly, that those troop being there's have really kept a lot the tourists away. If there are any tourists who are there, where can they possibly go to get any sort of sense of celebration?
WALLACE: Well, we should say this, that the Israelis are allowing tourists to come in, they're allowing diplomats to enter. They're also allowing Christians of Israeli-Arab descent to come here, and Christians from the West Bank and Gaza who have permits can come here.
And as for festivities, well, there will be midnight mass tonight, and you can hear some carolers down below in Manger Square. People are trying to do whatever they can, the few people that are here, to enjoy the holiday spirit.
HARRIS: Can't totally crush the spirit. No way.
Thanks, Kelly. Kelly Wallace standing by live in Manger Square. Happy holidays, too.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 24, 2002 - 10:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Up first, the Biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ, and the political crossroads of today's tensions in the Middle East. Israeli troops have withdrawn from Bethlehem's Manger Square, but the city remains stripped of any holiday decorations.
Our Kelly Wallace is standing by in Manger Square. Let's check in with her now and get the very latest view.
Hello, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.
Well, that decision by the Israelis was somewhat expected, because Israel was facing tremendous international pressure, even pressure from the Vatican, to pull its forces out, at least from the center of the city of Bethlehem so that Christians could go ahead and enjoy the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.
But despite the Israeli decision, many tourists and many Christians are staying away.
Just take a look at the scene below me. This is Manger Square. Normally on Christmas Eve, it is packed with tourist and Christians, but, again, today, the place is relatively empty, and, again, also the mayor of Bethlehem has decided not to have any official holiday decorations, all a form, Palestinians say, a protest against Israel's occupation of Bethlehem.
Earlier today, this was the scene. It was the annual Christmas Eve procession of Catholic clergy, here to the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born. And you can see some Palestinians used the occasions for protest. Some were holding pictures of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. For the second year in a row, Israelis are banning Mr. Arafat from coming here to attend midnight mass services. Palestinians say they are protesting against the Israeli presence in the city.
One Palestinian activist described the message this way:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the demonstration against occupation. It's raising our voice that this occupation must end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, the Israelis for their part say they don't want to be here. The Israelis came back, they say, after being away for three months. They came back after a November 21st suicide bombing. The bomber was from Bethlehem, blowing up a Jerusalem bus, killing 11 Israelis, including four children, and, again, Leon, sources I've talked to on the Israeli side say they hope forces don't have to come back here, but the onus is on the Palestinians to crack down on terror -- Leon..
HARRIS: Sure, understood, Kelly. Now we also know, Kelly, that those troop being there's have really kept a lot the tourists away. If there are any tourists who are there, where can they possibly go to get any sort of sense of celebration?
WALLACE: Well, we should say this, that the Israelis are allowing tourists to come in, they're allowing diplomats to enter. They're also allowing Christians of Israeli-Arab descent to come here, and Christians from the West Bank and Gaza who have permits can come here.
And as for festivities, well, there will be midnight mass tonight, and you can hear some carolers down below in Manger Square. People are trying to do whatever they can, the few people that are here, to enjoy the holiday spirit.
HARRIS: Can't totally crush the spirit. No way.
Thanks, Kelly. Kelly Wallace standing by live in Manger Square. Happy holidays, too.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
