Bethlehem – May 28, 2025 – A delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, headed by Ambassador Mohammad Abu Jameh and accompanied by a team from the General Directorate of Consular Affairs, visited the city of Bethlehem today, Wednesday, to discuss the necessary arrangements for opening a document authentication office in Bethlehem. The delegation met with Mr. Maher Nicola Canawati, Mayor of Bethlehem. Also participating in the meeting was Mr. Saleh Sobh, Director General of the Governor’s Office, representing the Governor of Bethlehem. The discussions focused on ways and mechanisms to facilitate procedures and improve services for citizens in the Bethlehem Governorate.
This initiative comes in implementation of the directives of H.E. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, and the instructions of H.E. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. It is also part of the Palestinian government’s broader efforts—especially following its visit to the governorate last week and its adoption of several measures aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by citizens.
During the meeting, it was officially announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates would respond to the request submitted by the Governor of Bethlehem and various local stakeholders—conveyed by the Mayor of Bethlehem—by opening an office affiliated with the Ministry inside the municipality building. The aim is to ease the processing of transactions for citizens, particularly those involving certificate authentications and other official documents requiring Ministry certification.
This decision comes in response to the difficulties citizens face in mobility due to transportation issues and Israeli military checkpoints. The Bethlehem Municipality will provide the necessary location and prepare the appropriate infrastructure for the office, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will supply the required personnel and equipment to operate it.
