Israeli wall, built (2005) on the main road that for thousand years connected Jerusalem and Bethlehem, isolated the city where Jesus was born and contributed strongly
to the tourism economical crisis started after the 2nd Intifada(2001). Tourists have been forcedly diverted to Israel and today their visits to Bethlehem last just the time useful
for visiting the holy sites.
Christian comunity, that in 1967 constituted 80% of Bethlehem, due to the strong economical crisis and to increasing islamic radicalism mostly emigrated abroad and today
represents less than 10% of Bethlehem population.
Tourism economical activities are fastly busting up, the inability of reaching Jerusalem (2 km far) gives no chance of finding another job for Bethlehem population and
the holy city, the place where Jesus was born is today falling into a decay that seems to be unstoppable.
All images are copyright © Eduardo Castaldo 2008
