December 26, 2002

Christmas Day in Bethlehem, Candle Procession

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Scenes from Christmas Day in Bethlehem. The big activity of my day was attending the annual Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Candlelight Peace Procession.

Waiting to start the candlelight procession.

Internationally famous peace activist, G.R.

R wants peace!

Translator, Reporter, Journalist, Videographer: D, A, and G

S, our favorite "Queen of Honey"

M looks pretty cool.

Man walks during peace action.

A large Christmas tree in Bethlehem remains bare.

They're back. Israeli soldiers sweep the streets of Bethlehem today.
Although it was widely reported that Israel would keep out of Bethlehem for a week,
they really never left. I saw them every day. But out of the incredible kindness of their hearts,
curfew was lifted for a few days. Didn't last long-- we're back under curfew again.
(But I'll be honest -- those two days out felt pretty darn good.)