UN report paints a dark picture of Bethlehem


AFP
 Date: 12-20-04

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AFP) - The Palestinian uprising has had a devastating effect on the town of Bethlehem, paralysing its economy, scaring off tourists and increasing Christian emigration, a UN report said.

"Bethlehem is surrounded by 78 physical obstructions," erected by the Israeli army, cutting it off from Jerusalem and some of the rest of the West Bank, the UN report said.

Apart from 10 checkpoints and 55 dirt mounds blocking the roads, Bethlehem is partially dissected by 10.4 kilometres (16.7 miles) of separation barrier, the report said.

When finished, the barrier -- which Israel argues is vital to preventing Palestinian attacks on its soil -- will stretch for 63 kilometres around the town, it said.

The tourism sector, vital to the economy of the town where the Bible says Jesus Christ was born, has been decimated since the intifada broke out in September 2000, the United Nations said.

The number of tourists visiting Bethlehem has dropped from 91,726 in 2000 to 7,249 in 2004, according to the report.

The number of hotel rooms occupied has dropped from 22.1 percent in 2000 to 2.4 percent in 2004, it said.

The lack of economic and social options has led to the emigration of 9.3 percent of Bethlehem's Christian community since 2000, it added.

The total population of Bethlehem is 61,000, not including some 15,000 Palestinians living in refugee camps around the city.

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