Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati received a visiting American delegation and briefed them on the latest developments in the city and the challenges it faces. He emphasized that Bethlehem will remain a city open to peace, carrying within it a message of hope and resilience.
The two sides discussed the challenges facing the city, with Canawati reviewing the most prominent crises, most notably the water crisis and the impact of military checkpoints that impede the movement of residents and cast a negative shadow over the economy and tourism sectors. He also pointed to the restrictions imposed on the health and education sectors, and the obstacles they pose to the city’s development and growth, emphasizing the importance of the international community’s role in supporting efforts to improve living conditions there.
Canawati also highlighted Bethlehem’s religious status as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, noting its historical significance as a center of coexistence between Muslims and Christians. He emphasized the need for the city to remain “open to peace,” while holding on to hope in times of hardship. He also called for strengthening solidarity with the people of Gaza and supporting the steadfastness of the people of Bethlehem to preserve the city’s status and its humanitarian message.