Not All Christians Upset By Israel Banning Arafat from Bethlehem
Not all Christians are upset by the fact that Israel is barring Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat from celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem this year, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem indicated on Thursday.
Published
Dec 19, 2002
A top Roman Catholic clergyman here, Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, on Wednesday blasted Israel's decision to prohibit Arafat from attending the annual Christmas Eve mass, calling it an "inappropriate measure."
Michael Utterback, International Director of the ICEJ, charged that Arafat's request was a "political ploy" designed to make Israel look bad to the rest of the world.
"It is disappointing that Arafat, a Muslim, would use the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ to promote his own personal agenda," Utterback said in a written response to a query from CNSNews.com .
"It is obvious to us that it is nothing more than a political ploy to vilify Israel in the eyes of the Christian world," he added.
The ICEJ is considered the largest Christian Zionist organization in the world, representing millions of Christians worldwide, who share a love for Israel and the Jewish people.
Prior to the outbreak of the intifadah 27 months ago, the center of Bethlehem, Manger Square, was always packed with visitors for the holiday. Choirs from around the world would travel to the birthplace of Jesus at their own expense to sing in concert in Manger Square on Christmas Eve.
Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his cabinet that Arafat would not be allowed to attend the festivities in Bethlehem and said that Israeli troops would remain in the city throughout the holiday.
Israeli forces took control of the city after a suicide bomber blew up a Jerusalem bus in October, killing 11 people. Officials have said that the troops will remain due to the warning that terrorists intend to perpetrate attacks from that area.
Arafat began attending Christmas Eve mass in Bethlehem when Israel turned over Bethlehem to PA control in 1995. He usually attends the church service with his wife, a former Christian, with the exception of last year, when he was also prevented from attending.
Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rejected an appeal from European Union ambassadors this week for Israeli troops to pull out of the city prior to the holiday. But he said that Christians from Israel, other West Bank towns and abroad would be permitted to celebrate there.
In an earlier interview, Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser said that Christians in his town would celebrate Christmas no matter what.
Originally published December 20, 2002.
