Sombre Christmas in Bethlehem amid economic woes

BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Dec 25 (Reuters) Hundreds of pilgrims gathered in Bethlehem for a Christmas mass, although the holiday cheer was dampened by weeks of internal Palestinian violence and regular Israeli travel restrictions.

Church bells rang throughout the town where Christians believe Jesus was born, religious dignitaries trickled in and several parades passed through Manger Square, which was decorated with coloured lights and Christmas trees.

But many residents remained sombre, following weeks of violence in the Palestinian territories between rival factions Fatah, which is loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas, a militant group that won a parliamentary election in January.

''It is a mixture of joy today because of the occasion of Christmas and a touch of sadness because of the (Israeli) siege, the political situation and the deteriorating economy,'' Bethlehem Governor Salah al-Ta'mari told Reuters.

''All these issues hang in the air along with the Christmas decorations,'' he said.

Life in Bethlehem has also gotten worse as residents find it difficult to reach jobs in Jerusalem and West Bank towns like Hebron amid Israeli checkpoints and an Israeli barrier that cuts into West Bank land that Palestinians want for a state.

Israel says the barrier, made up of a mix of wired fence and concrete walls, is meant to keep out suicide bombers.

Western sanctions on the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority have also hit government employees, many of whom have not been paid in months. The West wants Hamas, sworn to Israel's destruction, to change its stance as the main condition for renewing aid.

With unemployment estimated at around 65 per cent, many Bethlehem residents sit idly. Posters of Palestinian suicide bombers who have carried out attacks against Israelis adorn many walls.

Tourism, the lifeblood of Bethlehem's economy, has dropped since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000. The average number of visitors per month has fallen to as low as 20,000 people per month from about 100,000 before the uprising.

But Palestinian Tourism Minister Judeh George Morkus said 8,000 to 10,000 visitors were expected over the holiday period, up from 2,000 last year.

''I was scared to come, but I am glad I am here,'' said Henriette Ausems, 56, a Christian pilgrim from Holland. ''You can feel the holiness here.'' Karim al-Yatim, 54, a concierge at a hotel in Bethlehem said he had bookings for the first time in four months due to the holiday with its Mexican restaurant the hotel's the main earner for many months.

''Everything has hit us here -- the (West Bank) wall, the in-fighting (amongst Palestinians),'' he said. ''It is very tough here. Every year we say we hope it will be better. Hope is all we have.'' REUTERS MQA RN0412