Reflections on Bethlehem,

We have visited Bethlehem - the city of bread - many times. To enter, we have gone thorough an Israeli Checkpoint. There are a few checkpoints throughout Israel as a person attempts to go from Israeli territory to the West Bank or Palestinian territory. The wall was started in 2002 after Isreael decided unilaterally that the bombings were the result of Palestinians and that they could not protect themselves without the aid of the wall. The wall is 28 feet high and from my point of view - resembles the wall at the prison in Comstock, New York - also known as Great Meadow Prison. Great Meadow is a maximum security prison. To enter, you go through screening and enter multiple gates that slam or are otherwise closed behind you. Many times the wall has divided where a person lives from where a person works. Therefore, the checkpoint must be traversed at least twice a day. We have been in line at these checkpoints and had to wait for the guards - at their leisure - to open the gates and check us through. The guards never speak to those passing - they simply not yes or no!

People have also been separated from their land - that is, they live on one side of the wall and their land is on the other side. What used to be a five minuted walk from their house to their orchard is now a 30-60 minute walk - plus the time at the check points. The Palestinian youths celebrate when they get a pass for the evening. It would be like people in the outer areas of Albany needing approval to go to the inner-city of Albany and you best be back on time.

Below are several pictures of Bethlehem - a poor Palestinian city - like 2000 years ago; an oppressed city - like 2000 years ago; where life is ruled by an outside authority - like 2000 years ago and where unemployment and poverty is the norm. Where is God for me in these photos?





St. Catherines, next to the Basilica of the Nativity, where the annual Christmas Mass is televised every year.









Bell tower of the Basilical of the nativity













The wall and the checkpoint













From Tantur towards Bethlehem - the wall is 28 feet high













Another view from Tantur - where we are staying. We are in Jerusalem - the otherside of the wall is the West Bank.











The closed shops due to the loss of pilgrims coming to Bethlehem. Notice the Church of the Nativity in the background.











We are stopped at the checkpoint - this one takes about 30 minutes












Downtown Bethlehem













Women shopping in Bethlehem - they cannot look into the camera. They are friendly - but sad!













Narrow street in Bethlehem













More shoppers













These men are discussing the writing on the wall - one of them is the shop owner and the wall is the outside part of his shop












This woman is looking for her daily food.

Peace and Blessings,

Frank