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2009年12月25日
カテゴリ：日々のできごと
今年も何事もなく・・・・。 ユダヤ人だけど、アメリカで生まれて育ったマイクはクリスマスが恋しいんですって。  なにがあってもテルアビビ（ヘブライ語でテルアビブ人の意味）の私。 *☆*:;:*☆* Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday *☆*:;:*☆* キリスト生誕のベツレヘムで祈りのXmas 日本テレビ24 / 2009年12月25日 11:19 キリスト生誕の地とされるパレスチナ自治区ベツレヘムの聖誕教会で日本時間25日朝、恒例のクリスマスミサが行われ、荘厳な雰囲気の中、パレスチナ自治区・アッバス議長も参加して平和への祈りがささげられた。現地から谷生俊治記者が報告する。 今年は、イスラエルによる検問所チェックの緩和や治安の安定などから過去最多の観光客や巡礼者が訪れた。その数は200万人に上るとみられ、ミレニアムで沸いた2000年の倍にあたる。 ベツレヘムのクリスマスはこれまでにない盛り上がりを見せているが、パレスチナの政治状況は極めて厳しい状況にある。イスラエルによるパレスチナ自治区ガザ地区への攻撃から27日で1年がたつ。イスラエルは今もイスラム原理主義組織「ハマス」が支配していることを理由に厳しい経済封鎖を続け、ガザ地区の復興は進んでいない。 さらに、ハマスが支配するガザ地区と、アッバス議長率いる「ファタハ」が支配するヨルダン川西岸の分断状況が解消する見通しも立っていない。 パレスチナの人たちは、これまで毎年、平和を祈りつつも何度も裏切られてきた。それでもなお、クリスマスに平和を祈り続けている。  やっぱり、イスラエルでクリスマスと言うとベツレヘム必須よねぇ～。 マイクはユダヤ人だけどアメリカのパスポート保持者なので一緒に行けるのかなぁ～?? でも、イスラエルで発行したアメリカのパスポートだったら、 やっぱりベツレヘム（パレスチナ地区）には入場は問題あるかなぁ～?? クリスマスにはベツレヘムと何年言い続けることになるんだろうか?? Hundreds celebrate Christmas Mass in Bethlehem Associated Press Published:09年12月25日, 15:12 / Israel News Palestinian worshippers, pilgrims gather in Jesus' traditional birthplace to celebrate Christian holiday. 'It's interesting seeing the dichotomy of religions, nationalities mixing together. There's a lot of respect for each other,' says young American musician visiting holy city for first time  Christmas in Bethlehem (archives) Photo: Reuters Hundreds of Palestinian Christians and pilgrims celebrated Christmas Day Mass on Friday in Jesus' traditional birthplace, their prayers joined by wishes from the Vatican for peace in this strife-torn region. Worshippers, many of them Palestinian locals, packed the Roman Catholic church built near the grotto where the traditional site of Jesus' birth is enshrined. "It feels like a giant family gathering," said Jonathan Croy, a 24-year-old musician from Birmingham, Alabama, who was visiting Bethlehem for the first time. "It's interesting being here and seeing the dichotomy of religions, all nationalities and religions mixing together. It's beautiful. There's a lot of respect for each other." Kim Teayon, 24, of Seoul, had no faith until he converted to Christianity four years ago. "I'm grateful for being here," said Kim, who converted after friends gave him a Bible to ease him through a tough patch he underwent in the military. "I prayed and prayed for world peace," he added. The Vatican's envoy to the Holy Land told The Associated Press he was hopeful that peace is possible. "The message of Jesus (is) peace in the heart, joy and love for each other," papal nuncio Antonio Franco said as he entered the Church of the Nativity complex. "It's possible." Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian militants in the area have fallen off sharply from previous years, though towering concrete slabs that form a section of Israel's West Bank separation barrier were a reminder of hostilities that persist.  No business Israel built the barrier after a spate of Palestinian suicide bombings, but Palestinians say it's a land grab because it juts into the West Bank at various points, putting that land on the Israeli side of the enclosure. Merchants had hoped the calm, coupled with sunny skies, would draw the tourists back. But most shops were empty, with most tourists entering the city briefly. "This year is miserable for us," said Ahmed Suleiman, 50, of Bethlehem, who has been selling olivewood rosaries, nativity scenes and other souvenirs in Manger Square for 30 years. "I call this season a dead season." In the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas militants, about 80 people attended services at Gaza City's Roman Catholic Church, said Muhib Hadad, the church's Muslim guard. He said about half of Gaza's Catholic community of 300 had received hard-won Israeli military permits to travel to Bethlehem, keeping the congregation at home "moderately sized." The once-traditional Christmas tree, raised in the city's central square of the unknown soldier, has not been seen since the Islamic militant Hamas was voted into power in 2006. Christians, most of them Greek Orthodox, number about 3,000 people in Gaza, a territory of 1.5 million Muslims. お気に入りの記事を「いいね！」で応援しよう
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2009年12月26日 12時08分58秒
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