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The Mayor of Bethlehem, Anton Salman, laments the continuing injustice suffered by Palestinians. Bethlehem, “a city that represents a universal message of hope and peace, has become a symbol of apartheid,” Salman said in his Christmas message, which was circulated in local media, Kathpress reported Sunday.
By building settlements, Israel continues its policy of “strangling Bethlehem” and thereby ending any possibility of a cohesive Palestinian state. At the same time, the city is going through a deep economic crisis. The Israeli occupation denied sovereign access to natural resources and international borders, which are fundamental components of any economy. In addition, “the end of tourism, whether foreign or national, is due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Salman said. He described Bethlehem as a city with enormous potential.
The mayor of Bethlehem called on the newly elected US administration to take concrete steps to reverse the damage that Donald Trump caused to the Palestinians. That includes a rejection of Trump’s plan for the Middle East. The path to a prosperous future must pass through the end of “illegal Israeli settlement”. (Apa)
