Bethlehem is the cradle city of Christianity, the one where the Messiah was born. A city that lives and survives thanks to religious tourism, between 70 and 80% of the Palestinians in Bethlehem are dedicated to this sector. Therefore, the gradual arrival of pilgrims sustains the local economy, significantly affected during the pandemic and which is gradually recovering its splendor. “In Belén we only work in religious tourism, hotels, restaurants, tour guides, craft cooperatives… during the pandemic, Cáritas helped us a lot through their requests, to raise our lives a little”points out Daniel Yacoub, sales manager of some of the city’s craft cooperatives.
Located in the Judean mountains, in the West Bank, Bethlehem belongs to Palestine although it is located less than 10 km from Jerusalem. A great wall, built by Israel in 2002, delimits the Palestinian zone from the Israeli zone, a wall famous for its free art in which to contemplate graffiti such as Banksy’s, carried out as a denunciation of the negative impact of this separation on the Christian population.
In the 50s the Christian population was greater than the Muslim one, however at the end of the 60s the Christian and Muslim population equalized due to the Nakba or Palestinian exodus, now Christians only represent 1%, that is why it is done, If possible, the presence of tourists is even more important, “Without the presence of those who come from outside, there is no one left there. It is important for us to encourage the economy, but also for the presence of Christians. It is a support that Christians from other parts of the world come to Bethlehem. It is not easy to be a Christian in Bethlehem. One hundred years ago, 35% of the population was Christian, today we are talking about a community of less than 1%.”qualifies Daniel Yacoub.
Bethlehem is undoubtedly synonymous with Christianity and one of the most visited places in the world, especially at Christmas. City of pilgrimage for Christians excited to know the place where Jesus was born, specifically, the Basilica of the Nativity.
The trip to the Holy Land is “obligatory” compliance for the Christian, Bethlehem, Nazareth or Jerusalem are cities that must be visited “at least once in a lifetime, faith calls us to see this site, there is no other place like it in the world” as Yacoub points out, who also emphasizes that “Belén is a safe and quiet place to travel.”
Daniel and Mouna, his wife, have spent the weekend in Zamora before traveling to Madrid and took advantage of Sunday to go to the parish of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes and participate in the Sunday Eucharist. Daniel and Mouna were surprised by the age of the people who went to the Church “We have hardly found any young people, if you go to Santa Catalina on a Sunday there will be about 1,500 young people between the ages of 15 and 30. The average age of the Palestinian population is 25-30 years. This is because people marry earlier and have more children.” In addition, and as this couple comments, some young people emigrate, especially to the United States, looking for a better life, but they will try to ensure that their children do not follow this path, that they stay in Bethlehem, “There are opportunities, if you look you will find something. You will live financially better abroad, but Bethlehem is the best place to be, because there is no other place like it in the world”.
In general, Belén is supported by tourism and also by the aid that comes from all over Europe, however, the support and religious tourism that comes from Spain is remarkable. For example, Yacoub points out, the trips organized by the parish priests in Spain, the aid that arrives to help maintain the temples, “Spain is always there”. The Church, in general, helps to maintain the heritage in the city and, in particular, has other forms of help through education with its own schools, a shelter for children… “Thank God we don’t feel like we’re alone.”
Cáritas, as the official body of the Church for charitable-social work, is present there through Cáritas Jerusalem. “Bethlehem is separated from Jerusalem by an Israeli wall and sometimes it is difficult, but Cáritas has always been there. At first Cáritas in Belén was just an office, now it manages a children’s hospital that bears the name of Cáritas. Through Cáritas, accommodation, medicines, vaccines are provided… In addition, Cáritas grants job opportunities to young people who have just studied and they also have an internship program and courses with the University of Belén. Caritas is always and exists in the holy place.”
Daniel Yacoub and his wife Mouna will participate in FITUR (the international tourism fair held in Madrid) in the coming days, with a Palestinian stand along with 18 other stands that will show agencies, hotels, restaurants, etc. A great opportunity to promote their land and get in touch with our country, where they say they have always felt welcome.
