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"Several local Christians, speaking on condition of anonymity, charged the Muslim vendors set up their stations without required permits after paying what were described as 'special commissions' to the Palestinian Authority security forces."
"Muslims hijack Jesus' birthplace," by Aaron Klein for World Net Daily:
BETHLEHEM – Muslim street peddlers here bombarded tourists with discounted souvenirs in Manger Square – the hub of Bethlehem's holiday activity – setting up shop in front of Christian stores some of whose owners complained their businesses were being hijacked.
"Tourism is up this year. Christians are visiting from all over. They come out of the Church of the Nativity and before they arrive at my store they've already been approached by a half-dozen Muslim vendors selling the same stuff but cheaper," said the manager of one shop situated across from the Church of the Nativity alongside Manger Square.
The church is the believed birthplace of Jesus. It has seen an increase in the number of visitors since last year, according to locals. Directly outside the church begins the Manger Square thoroughfare, site of religious activity, Christmas decorations and mostly Christian-owned stores.
But the thoroughfare has been packed with Muslim vendors selling souvenirs and religious items such as crosses and cedarwood carvings – much the same objects found in the surrounding Christian stores.
Church visitors cannot exit the large structure without passing through the swarms of vendors.
Several local Christians, speaking on condition of anonymity, charged the Muslim vendors set up their stations without required permits after paying what were described as "special commissions" to the Palestinian Authority security forces that control the city.
WND asked three vendors if they had obtained permits, but they refused to respond.
Upon observing the scene for an afternoon, it was clear during that time the Muslim vendors were raking in the majority of business. According to local shopworkers, this has been the situation for the past two weeks.
The scene was the latest episode of Bethlehem's dwindling Christian population, which has reportedly been the target of rampant Islamic intimidation and persecution.
Bethlehem consisted of up to 80 percent Christians when Israel was founded in 1948, but immediately after the Palestinian Authority took over in 1995 in line with the U.S.-backed Oslo Accords, the Christian population quickly declined to about 23 percent, with a large majority of Muslims. The 23 percent Christian statistic is considered generous since it includes the satellite towns of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala. Some estimates place Bethlehem's actual Christian population as low as 12 percent, with hundreds of Christians emigrating every year.
Christian leaders and residents, most of whom spoke to WND on condition of anonymity during recent interviews, said they face an atmosphere of regular hostility. They said Palestinian armed groups stir tension by holding militant demonstrations and marches in the streets. They spoke of instances in which Christian shopkeepers' stores were ransacked and Christian homes attacked.
They said in the past, Palestinian gunmen fired at Israelis from Christian hilltop communities, drawing Israeli anti-terror raids to their towns.
Read it all.
Posted by Marisol at December 24, 2007 12:00 AM
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Of course, all we hear from pacifist Leftists, Islamochristians, Mainline Protestants, and other liberals is the same unbroken narrative of an "oppressed" people, the Christians among them, persecuted by Zionist Israeli "occupiers." Since when were these a sovereign people living within defined borders? THEY rejected a two-state solution in 1917 (Balfour Declaration), in 1937 (Peel Commission Plan), in 1947 (U.N. Partition
Plan), and in !967 (Israeli Peace Initiative).
Am I to feel sorry for the collective lot of them
now, and blame Israel for its measures of self-preservation? I think not.
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at December 24, 2007 12:48 AM
'special commissions'
For those of you who started school after Jimmy Carter created the Department of Education, a special commission would be a bribe.
Posted by: Pelayo at December 24, 2007 12:50 AM
"....and in !967 (Israeli Peace Initiative)."
With all due respect , the PLO was pretty well putting bullets into anybody who advocated land barter within the lost "West Bank" ...and the PLO stymied any land for peace in 1967. Pity Nasser died in a way. Hey John C , I havent villified you in any way ... I see my days numbered.
Posted by: David Xavier at December 24, 2007 1:48 AM
Just imagine what would happen if Christians were selling islamic artifacts in Jerusalem, and taking away the profit of islamo-nazis. The lefties would be al over the place, and blame Israel for not taking care of the Muslim enterprise.
Posted by: Crusader at December 24, 2007 6:33 AM
This persecution of Christians the world over is one of the reasons we are here. And I just this morning heard on the radio, how lovely and peaceful Bethlehem is today, as thousands of Christian tourists stream in to celebrate Christmas. How hypocritical of muslims, to be selling crosses and religious carvings. Still, better they should flog souvenirs than people.
OT, but in case I don't get a chance tomorrow:
To our fearless leader, Lord Robert,
To the ever erudite Sir Hugh,
To the deft deleter, Lady Marisol,
And to all the brave crusaders, near and far, East and West, who gather here to learn about and discuss the greatest threat to our civilization -
MERRY CHRISTMAS! And peace to all. Hope you all have a wonderful one.
at December 24, 2007 8:15 AM
"Just imagine what would happen if Christians were selling islamic artifacts in Jerusalem" --posted by Crusader
Except that this will never happen.
Posted by: darcy at December 24, 2007 8:34 AM
Despite all the stumbling blocks that come into the way of Christians, yet because of the hope offered by the holy birth of the Savior, the good news of the Gospel still spreads to the four corners of the earth. To Robert, Hugh, Marisol, and all the wonderful posters of JW/DW, a blessed Merry CHRISTmas to all. God Bless. :)
Posted by: bigcatgirl13106 at December 24, 2007 10:00 AM
Reminds me of mafia tactics.
Posted by: interestinconundrum at December 24, 2007 11:44 AM
David,
Don't think for a moment that I would participate in a vendetta against you. I also see no reason that you cannot or should not further your viewpoints here. A Devil's Advocate has a useful role, and if it suits the Almighty to let you have your say, it's fine with me.
I don't want to seem wholely partisan or an ideologue, but it seems to me that Israeli Jews are more sinned against than sinning; wall or no wall. Also, the entire Arab League with strong Soviet prompting rejected land-for-peace, or ANY peace at the time.
Posted by: John C at December 24, 2007 3:29 PM
David X,
I think we should observe an indefinite Christmas truce--I admit that you have been charitable to me, and I'm willing to give you the same consideration. I do not need, then, any explanation of your motives or purposes; I'm willing to accept you as a person of good will.
(I unwittingly made a textual gap--Merry Christmas!)
I will not say anything unkind about you to anyone here. I certainly accept your right to express your own opinions, and your right to have your own perspective. Feel free, then, to swim against the tide when you must--you are not the first here to face a strong current of opposing opinion, or personal differences, even abuse.
Any paranoia you might sense here is likely due to harm done recently by agent(s) provocateur(s)--no kidding--planted remarks posted here very briefly were publicly cited in an attempted smear.
Posted by: John C
at December 24, 2007 9:21 PM
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