Bethlehem is a ghetto. Lets not mince words. Its an open prison. Like the guests in the Eagles song Hotel California, "you can check out any time but you can never leave", at least not if you are a Palestinian and you want to come back. Last night as we drove into the city (much easier getting in than out) soldiers - I assume they were soldiers because they wore cool Ralph Lauren shirts and slacks and Armani sunglasses. The Uzi machine guns they all proudly carry are local.
The latest Messiah, Joe Biden rolls into town today for yet more talks about talks about talks, blah, blah, and just to remind him who is in charge around here, while he was still in the air, the Israeli government announced a new settlement expansion. I won't hold my breath.
If the combined forces of the USA, Russia, the European Community and the United Nations, who all endorsed the Roadmap to Peace, cannot get Israel to withdraw to the June 1967 borders, do you really think the Obama/Biden initiative will fare any better? I think not.
I'm here for a conference at Bethlehem Bible College called Christ at the Checkpoint. For that is where he is, sitting with the refugees (one in four refugees in th world is a Palestinian), those who have had their homes demolished, their land confiscated and inheritance stolen. And that is why we are here.
We are also here to launch the new film, With God on our Side. Too many people think God is on their side.
The immigration staff at Ben Gurion airport were not too impressed that I was staying in Bethlehem. I seem to remember one of their predecessors, Herod, wasn't too impressed either. May God have mercy on both Israelis and Palestinians.
