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CNN Live Today
Israeli Troops Pull Back to Outskirts of Bethlehem
Aired December 24, 2002 - 11:30 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: Israeli troops now have pulled back to the outskirts of the town believed to be biblical birthplace of Jesus, but the mayor of Bethlehem has described it as a sad city this Christmas.
Our Kelly Wallace is standing by with more on this fallback and the protests there as well.
Hello, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Leon, hello to you.
I can tell you, the mayor of Bethlehem telling us that he will continue what he is calling a protest against Israeli occupation of Bethlehem, and he says there will be no holiday decorations, no Christmas tree in Manger Square, this all despite the fact that the Israelis announced earlier that their forces would be pulling back from the center of the city so that Christians could enjoy Christmas celebrations.
Now traditional religious festivities are going on. Earlier in the day, this was the scene, the annual Christmas Eve procession of the Catholic clergy, moving from Jerusalem here to the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born.
Many Palestinians using the occasion to protest. You can see many of the Palestinians were out on the street, some holding up pictures of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
For the second year in a row, the Israelis are barring the Palestinian leader from traveling here to attend midnight mass services. They say he has not done enough to crack down on terror, but many of the Palestinians out on the streets today were calling for an end to what they call occupation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's demonstration against occupation. It's raising our voice that this occupation must end for the sake of our people so that peace can prevail. But also we will maintain our dignity and integrity. Nothing will break us. Nothing will break our determination to be free from occupation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, the Israelis, for their part, say they hope their troops don't ever have to come back to the center of Bethlehem. Their troops will been away from the city for several months, but returned at the end of November, after November 21st bus bombings. The suicide bomber was from Bethlehem, and in that bus bombing, 11 Israelis were killed, including four children.
Again, Leon, a quiet night here, usually means the square is packed with tourists and Christians, but many it appears a staying away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE; All right, Kelly Wallace, reporting live for us, from Manger Square in Bethlehem. Take care, Kelly. Be safe, be well, have a happy holiday.
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 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Israeli troops now have pulled back to the outskirts of the town believed to be biblical birthplace of Jesus, but the mayor of Bethlehem has described it as a sad city this Christmas.
Our Kelly Wallace is standing by with more on this fallback and the protests there as well.
Hello, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Leon, hello to you.
I can tell you, the mayor of Bethlehem telling us that he will continue what he is calling a protest against Israeli occupation of Bethlehem, and he says there will be no holiday decorations, no Christmas tree in Manger Square, this all despite the fact that the Israelis announced earlier that their forces would be pulling back from the center of the city so that Christians could enjoy Christmas celebrations.
Now traditional religious festivities are going on. Earlier in the day, this was the scene, the annual Christmas Eve procession of the Catholic clergy, moving from Jerusalem here to the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born.
Many Palestinians using the occasion to protest. You can see many of the Palestinians were out on the street, some holding up pictures of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
For the second year in a row, the Israelis are barring the Palestinian leader from traveling here to attend midnight mass services. They say he has not done enough to crack down on terror, but many of the Palestinians out on the streets today were calling for an end to what they call occupation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's demonstration against occupation. It's raising our voice that this occupation must end for the sake of our people so that peace can prevail. But also we will maintain our dignity and integrity. Nothing will break us. Nothing will break our determination to be free from occupation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, the Israelis, for their part, say they hope their troops don't ever have to come back to the center of Bethlehem. Their troops will been away from the city for several months, but returned at the end of November, after November 21st bus bombings. The suicide bomber was from Bethlehem, and in that bus bombing, 11 Israelis were killed, including four children.
Again, Leon, a quiet night here, usually means the square is packed with tourists and Christians, but many it appears a staying away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE; All right, Kelly Wallace, reporting live for us, from Manger Square in Bethlehem. Take care, Kelly. Be safe, be well, have a happy holiday.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
