Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati visited the Al-Kreish Foundation in Bethlehem, where he met with its management and learned about its work and the important role it plays in serving children.
During the meeting, the Mayor expressed his appreciation for the foundation’s services, describing it as one of the most important organizations providing quality humanitarian services to children in Bethlehem. He affirmed that the Bethlehem Municipality will always be among its supporters, emphasizing his great confidence in the efforts made by the management and staff.
For her part, the Foundation’s Director, Sister Denise Abi Haidar, explained that the Foundation’s work goes beyond its official scope, as it delivers a noble humanitarian message. She emphasized its primary reliance on the support of the city’s residents and visitors in the absence of a stable source of income. She noted the ongoing efforts to maintain the continuity of services despite the current challenges, and the efforts made to ensure financial stability that enables it to continue fulfilling its mission. At the conclusion of the visit, the Mayor affirmed the Bethlehem Municipality’s commitment to harnessing all available resources to support the organization and strengthen its resilience through networking with sister cities and partner institutions, given its pioneering model of charitable and humanitarian work.

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati received a delegation from the Palestinian Telecommunications Company (Jawwal), including Yazan Abu Aisha, Head of the Corporate and Government Sector Department in the South; Mohammad Tahboub, Director of the Strategic Accounts Department in the South; Ramez Al-Mofdi, Director of Strategic Accounts in Bethlehem; and an accompanying delegation. The meeting was attended by Municipal Council members Mr. Daoud Al-Salahat and Mr. Samir Abu Dayyeh.
During the meeting, the attendees emphasized the depth of cooperation between the two sides, praising the smooth work with the Bethlehem Municipality and their commitment to continuing to provide the best benefits and services, while taking into account the unique characteristics of Bethlehem and the nature of the municipality’s work. They also expressed their hope for an improvement in the situation in Palestine after the difficult period it has been through, affirming their full readiness to continue cooperation in various fields to serve the city and its people.
For his part, the Mayor emphasized the importance of the strong strategic relationship with the company, which reflects a long-standing partnership based on mutual cooperation for the benefit of Bethlehem and its people. He pointed out the need to maintain and strengthen this relationship in the future.
The meeting concluded with a discussion of several issues of mutual interest and ways to enhance future cooperation.

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati, along with several members of the Municipal Council, participated in the national meeting held under the title: “Despite the Rubble, Resilience Takes Root and Strengthens in the Face of the Occupier.”
The meeting was sponsored by the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, with the participation of the governorates of Bethlehem, Hebron, and Ramallah. Representatives of national, political, religious, media, tribal, security, and economic figures from across the country were also in attendance.
This meeting came within the framework of affirming the unity of the Palestinian people, both Christians and Muslims, rejecting all attempts to sow discord or undermine social cohesion, and confronting all attempts by the occupation to undermine national unity and sow division and discord among our people.
Attendees emphasized the importance of preserving Palestinian national unity as a basis for confronting Israeli challenges and attacks, emphasizing that respect for religions and holy sites is an integral part of Palestinian identity, and that confronting any abuse of this coexistence is a national, legal, and societal responsibility. The meeting’s outcomes emphasized the need to maintain unity, enforce the law against anyone who attempts to undermine the national fabric, and confront the occupation’s attempts to exploit internal events to undermine the stability and national cohesion of our society.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati received a delegation from the Bethlehem Music Academy, including Treasurer Dr. Samir Badour, and a number of Academy members, including George Zeina, Nidal Abu Ayyash, Ms. Carmen Ghattas, and Ms. Dima Giacaman.
During the meeting, the importance of the Academy’s role in teaching music to younger generations, preserving Palestinian musical heritage, and revitalizing the city’s cultural and artistic scene was emphasized.
Prospects for future cooperation were also discussed, particularly the allocation of a permanent headquarters for the Academy within the city and enhancing cooperation with twin cities to enable students to participate in international music events.
The Mayor affirmed the Bethlehem Municipality’s commitment to supporting the Academy and providing the necessary means to develop its work and serve its community mission.

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati was honored by a visit from the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Archbishop Atallah Hanna, the Vicar General and Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine, Archbishop William Shomali, and the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Archbishop Munib Younan, at the Bethlehem Municipality.
During the meeting, Archbishop Atallah Hanna conveyed the congratulations of their Excellencies to the Mayor on his assumption of his duties, expressing their wishes for him and Deputy Mayor Lucy Thaljieh for success in serving the city and its people. He also conveyed the greetings of Patriarch Michel Sabbah, who was unable to attend.
Their Excellencies emphasized the importance of the Bethlehem Municipality preserving established customs and not relinquishing its due rights. They also called for extending an invitation to His Holiness the Pope to visit Bethlehem, while praising the mayor’s experience and leadership, especially since he has served on the municipal council since 2013. They emphasized the need to strengthen ties with Bethlehem’s diaspora around the world to support and advance the city. For his part, the mayor expressed his hope for enhanced cooperation with churches and sovereign authorities, emphasizing that the relationship between them and the municipality transcends official frameworks and embraces a solid fraternal relationship. He praised their supportive stances in upholding the recognized rights of the Bethlehem Municipality. He also expressed his hope to live up to everyone’s expectations in serving the city and its people, emphasizing the importance of enhancing Bethlehem’s image and strengthening its presence in various forums.

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati received the Honorary Consul General of Poland to Palestine, Mr. Salah Atallah, in the presence of Municipal Council members Hanna Hanania and Hisham Al-Kamel. During the meeting, the twinning agreement between Bethlehem and the Polish city of Czestochowa, signed in Bethlehem in 2004, was reviewed. The two sides emphasized the shared goals of strengthening friendship and cooperation and maintaining ongoing communication between the two cities. They also discussed ways to further strengthen the relationship between the two cities and mechanisms for supporting the tourism sector and tourism institutions in Bethlehem, which would contribute to enhancing the city’s economic and tourism development.

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati received a delegation from the Civil Defense at the Municipality, represented by the Director of the Civil Defense in Bethlehem, Lieutenant Colonel Ali Hantash. The meeting was attended by Municipal Council members Hanna Hanania and Samir Abu Dayyeh. During the meeting, they discussed mechanisms to enhance joint coordination, raise the level of preparedness to serve citizens, and ensure effective response to emergencies, thus contributing to enhancing public safety in the city. Lieutenant Colonel Hantash affirmed the Civil Defense’s continued readiness to cooperate with the municipality in various areas related to safety and community service.

The Mayor of Bethlehem received a delegation from the Bank of Jordan, represented by Ms. Hanida Musleh, the bank’s manager at Bab al-Zaqqaq branch. During the meeting, they discussed prospects for cooperation between the two parties in improving quality of life and implementing joint development projects, in addition to enhancing cooperation with the Joint Services Council for Solid Waste Management. The two sides also discussed the importance of enhancing community participation in supporting local development, which will contribute to serving the city and its residents and improving the services provided.

During the meeting, several issues of concern to the city were discussed, as well as ways to enhance joint cooperation between the municipality and the local community, contributing to improving services and enhancing municipal performance for the benefit of the people of Bethlehem.
During his speech, the mayor emphasized the importance of concerted efforts and joint work to develop services and enhance public order. He noted that the municipality is currently working to develop a health hazards system, in addition to activating a violation system to ensure everyone’s compliance. He emphasized that the primary goal is to serve the city and its people and achieve the best possible results.
For his part, the municipal council member addressed the challenges and difficulties facing the Bethlehem Municipality in light of the difficult conditions facing the Palestinian people, coupled with the accompanying limited available resources.
At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees emphasized the importance of raising citizen awareness and fostering a sense of shared responsibility to ensure the city’s interests and development.

Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati and the Head of the Local Authorities Court in Bethlehem Governorate, Tariq Al-Abed, visited the Chief Prosecutor of Bethlehem Governorate, Mr. Mohammed Ghaboun. During the meeting, they discussed mechanisms for activating the violations system and ways of cooperation and coordination between the Bethlehem Municipality, the Local Authorities Court, and the Public Prosecution Office, with the aim of developing work procedures and strengthening partnerships in related cases.