November 15, 2002

Happy Palestinian Independence Day!

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Talk about an odd celebration -- today Palestinians celebrated their Independence Day. To tell you the truth, I didn't see much celebrating in Bethlehem. All I noticed were occasional "booms" from small fireworks. A few kids playing around with firecrackers. I didn't see anything going on in Manger Square or down in Beit Sahour. How can you celebrate your independence when you don't have it? Kind of weird. Maybe it's a period of "Hope for Independence Day." That makes more sense to me.

Bethlehem celebrates the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as the moon rises above the Church of the Nativity.