No freedom in Muslim Bethlehem

By Ethel C. Fenig

While Vice President Joseph Biden (D) was gravely insulted when a low level government clerk issued a low level routine approval for a housing development in Jerusalem while he was visiting, Biden was apparently not insulted when a high level Arab government official issued the following order in Bethlehem, a few miles from Jerusalem.

According to AsiaNews

The Palestinian National Authority has shut down Al-Mahed "Nativity" TV for operating without a licence. Samir Qumsieh, owner and general manager of the Christian broadcaster, slammed the decision. After 14 years on the air and despite a long list of "thank you letters" by grateful viewers, Palestinian police raided the broadcaster's offices yesterday at 2 pm. Waving an order by the Interior Ministry, they put the station off the air. (snip) Located on high ground at about 350 metres from the Church of Nativity, in Bethlehem, Al-Mahed "Nativity" TV was for years the "only Christian voice" among Palestinian media.

Once a majority in Bethlehem their numbers have dwindled in recent years. Bethlehem's Christians have become refugees , fleeing the city as personal and professional attacks by Arab Muslims have made life difficult, often extremely dangerous, for Christians. The annual holiday festivities in Manger Square are all run by the city's Muslim officials and business owners.

Biden, a Christian, was apparently indifferent to the insults to his fellow religious practioners preferring to be insulted instead by a minor housing order for Jewish apartments in Jerusalem. That says a lot about him.