Bethlehem Passport

The Bethlehem Passport is a document issued by Open Bethlehem conferring citizenship of Bethlehem to anyone who supports the ideals of an open, democratic society and makes a contribution to Bethlehem's well-being and survival. The Passport citation reads: "In that the bearer of this passport is a citizen of Bethlehem; that they recognize this ancient city provides a light to the world, and to all people who uphold the values of a just and open society; that they will remain a true friend to Bethlehem through its imprisonment, and that they will strive to keep the ideals of Bethlehem alive as long as the wall stands; we ask you to respect the bearer of the passport and to let them pass freely."

The passport also states: "This passport was launched in Bethlehem in the year 2005 to mark the building of an illegal wall that threatens to change the face of the city, and to remind the world that Bethlehem refuses to live in its shadow."

Pope Benedict XVI received the first Bethlehem Passport in December 2005 from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. [http://www.openbethlehem.org/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=43]

External links

*Interview Leila Sansour, Open Bethlehem [http://www.indcatholicnews.com/leliasan.html]