We visited Bethlehem today. It wasn’t easy: the city is located in Palestinian territory, so we needed to bring our passports and we were even refused entry at the first checkpoint. It was just harassment, pure and simple, as we just proceeded to another entrance where there wasn’t even any security.
While the holy sites were impressive, what was even more impressive was the Wall. Israel erected a wall that cuts through the occupied territories, cutting the people of Bethlehem off from much of their lands. You really get the impression you are in a bad Kurt Russel film (where is Snake Plissken when you need him?)
Vespers is about to start so I have to go. More on this later.