Israel blamed for 'Christian exodus'

Monday 13 December 2004, 21:33 Makka Time, 18:33 GMT

The mayor of Bethlehem blasted the Israeli occupation on Monday as an "oppressive siege" which was forcing Christians to leave the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ in ever increasing numbers.

"Each year I try not to be gloomy in my Christmas message but the harsh facts on the ground and the clouds of instability and suffering that continue to overshadow Bethlehem strongly push me to this direction," said Hanner Nasir, the Christian mayor of this West Bank town.

"Living under occupation is certainly the most painful experience man can face and the biggest offence to human rights and dignity," he told journalists at a press conference in the city hall.

"We each day have to swallow the bitterness of the Israeli practices: killing of our people, demolition of houses, arrest and humiliation.

"The closure and oppressive siege have crippled Bethlehem and deteriorated the living conditions of its people to an unprecedented degree," he said.

Christians leaving

Some 2,400 Christians out of a total of some 40,000 living in Bethlehem and surrounding areas in the southern West Bank have left since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian intifada, according to Nasir.

"Imagine the city of Bethlehem with no Christians," he said.

"Christians all over the world should know this reality. If we don't have a quick breakthrough in the peace process more are going to leave."