国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Christmas preparations underway in Bethlehem amid Israeli settlement expansion_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Christmas preparations underway in Bethlehem amid Israeli settlement expansion

Khalilieh warned that once the Israeli built wall between Bethlehem and East Jerusalem is completed, about 27 percent of the district's land "will be isolated behind the wall, meaning that they will be out of reach, where Palestinians cannot access their land."

"This is how this city is devastated," he said.

Under the interim Oslo Agreement signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Israeli government in 1993, the West Bank was divided into three areas: Area A under Palestinian control, Area B under joint Palestinian-Israeli control, and Area C under full Israeli control.

The Oslo accords were supposed to expire after a five-year interim phase, where the entire West Bank area was to be given to Palestinian control. However, the Israeli settlement activity there continued and crippled the final status peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.

Nevertheless, Anton Salman, mayor of Bethlehem city, seemed optimistic about this year's Christmas season, with the renovations in the Church of Nativity, which is believed to be the place of birth of Jesus Christ, coming to an end.

He told reporters that the numbers of visitors flocking into the city is increasing each year.

"I think 2020 numbers will be more than 2019 and as much as the city would continue as a stable with a secure situation, as much as it will encourage tourists to come to visit the city," he said.