Middle East

In Gaza, Palestinian Christians Fear Being ‘Swept Under the Rubble’

Fatima AbdulKarim / 972 Magazine Dec 29, 2023 Hundreds of Gaza’s Christian families are either sheltering in a church or have fled south, marking Christmas only as another day of Israel’s deadly assault. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Opinion

This Christmas, All I Want Is a Ceasefire

Stephanie Abraham / Arab America Dec 20, 2023 Until that happens, we can lean into the true meaning of Christmas by advocating for victims of war in Gaza and the West Bank. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Thousands Mark Christmas in West Bank Town of Bethlehem

MOHAMMAD DARAGHMEH & PATTY NIEBERG / The Associated Press Dec 24, 2019 The celebrations capped the most successful year in history for Palestinian tourism, according to Tourism Minister Rula Maayah. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

End of an Era: Bethlehem Steel’s World HQ Demolished

MICHAEL RUBINKAM / The Associated Press May 19, 2019 Sixteen thousand tons of Bethlehem Steel collapse in seconds as crews implode Martin Tower, a symbol of the defunct firm's might. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Jerusalem Violence, Rain Dampen Bethlehem Christmas

Jalal Hassan and Imad Isseid / The Associated Press Dec 24, 2017 Muted festivities are the result of cold, wet weather and recent violence sparked by President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

New Art Installation/Hotel Comes With a View of the Bethlehem Wall

Staff / Truthdig Mar 5, 2017 The secretive British street artist Banksy says his Walled-Off Hotel welcomes people from all over the world. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Everyday Politics of Confinement in Palestine

By Sandy Tolan, TomDispatch Apr 30, 2015 Despite the torrents of press coverage here about Israel and its relationship with the United States, the daily reality of half the people in a century-old conflict is essentially off the American radar screen. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

Israel to Take Over Land in West Bank in Its Biggest Seizure in 30 Years

Natasha Hakimi Zapata / Truthdig Sep 3, 2014 Days after a cease-fire in Gaza was agreed to by Hamas and Israel, the latter announced it was taking over 1.5 square miles of West Bank territory south of Bethlehem as "a response to the kidnapping and killing of three Jewish teenagers in the area" this summer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Francis Prays at Apartheid Wall, Calls for Palestinian State

Staff / Truthdig May 26, 2014 On Sunday in Bethlehem, Pope Francis called for recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Francis to Call for Sovereign, Independent Palestinian State

Juan Cole / Truthdig May 24, 2014 Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin is signaling that Pope Francis in his visit to Bethlehem on Sunday will strongly support the right of Palestinians to a sovereign state. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israeli Soldiers Open Fire on Palestinian Protesters

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Feb 26, 2013 Two teenagers were hospitalized Monday after Israeli soldiers tried to end a Palestinian demonstration near Bethlehem by firing on the crowd, The New York Times reports. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

West Banksy in New York

Staff / Truthdig Sep 8, 2011 A contemporary art gallery in New York opened an unauthorized show of works by England-based renegade graffiti artist Banksy on Aug. 25 that has incensed art critics, Banksy fans and residents of the West Bank in the Middle East. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )