زيارة بوش الإبن لبطريركية أورشليم
http://www.orthodoxonline.org/forum/.../2008/01/3.jpg http://www.orthodoxonline.org/forum/.../2008/01/6.gif View smaller image Security forces flooded Bethlehem on Thursday as US President George W. Bush prayed at the traditional birthplace of Jesus at the start of a pilgrimage to some of Christianity's holiest sites. The president -- a fervent Christian -- landed by helicopter and then was whisked to the Church of the Nativity in a motorcade through streets largely deserted as part of a massive security operation aimed at protecting him.
After a short tour of the sixth century Byzantine church he descended into the Grotto of the Nativity, an underground chapel glimmering with hanging lanterns, where he lit a candle at the believed site of Jesus's birth.
"For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn't a more holy site than where our saviour was born," Bush said as he came out of the church.
Thousands of Palestinian security forces had fanned out across the town in the occupied West Bank at dawn, shutting off all major roads to the church and sharply limiting pedestrian traffic along empty streets with shuttered shops.
Snipers patrolled the roof of the church near a hanging plastic Santa Claus left over from Christmas, while Bush remained inside for less than an hour.
"We are excited, of course, it's a great event," the Greek patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, said after Bush's motorcade roared away from the church, his face beaming through a thick grey beard.
"We wanted to send a message to all the world that the place is safe and all people can come and pray here," he added.
But Bush's visit to the West Bank -- only the second to the Palestinian territories by a sitting US president -- failed to impress the locals.
"He comes here, they close all the shops, they don't let us work," said Alaa, a 26-year-old Christian who works at a restaurant near Manger Square in front of the church and who was sent home ahead of Bush's arrival.
Elite Palestinian presidential guards used ****l barriers to push small groups of onlookers back up the streets leading to the empty square as helicopters buzzed overhead.
Several dozen youths gathered behind barricades near Manger Square, but every time they tried to cheer, police silenced them.
"Stop making so much noise, show some respect," one policeman snapped at kids behind the barricade. "There are journalists here."
Amid the massive security operation, few Bethlehem residents caught a glimpse of the president, widely unpopular among Palestinians because of his perceived overwhelming support of Washington's close ally Israel.
"They closed everything. What is he so afraid of? World leaders come here all the time," said Rami, a Christian shopowner.
"I think he is scared because he has so many enemies, because he has slaughtered so many people in Iraq."
Bethlehem's own mayor Victor Batarseh was not invited to the ceremony because he is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which the US State Department considers a terror organisation.
"I have not been told anything. I was simply asked to have the streets cleaned, which has been done," the 72-year-old Christian mayor said.
Residents said the security measures were far more draconian than the last time a US president visited -- 1998's trip by Bill Clinton.
"When Clinton came he spent some time with us. He ate here," said an older woman with a headscarf tucked into a heavy winter coat. "Don't use my name or they will think I am a terrorist," she added with a smile.
A couple dozen demonstrators gathered on the outskirts of Bethlehem, waving Palestinian flags, pictures of family members in Israeli jails, and signs saying "Stop Israeli terror" and "Set our prisoners free."
Bush's first visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories since taking office is primarily aimed at encouraging revived peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a regional tour which will include Arab allies.
But Bush will also be tracing the footsteps of Jesus Christ, whom he once described as his favourite philosopher and whose teachings he says have informed his presidency, including his divisive foreign policies.
On Friday Bush will fly north to the Galilee, where Jesus delivered many of his most famous teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount in which he said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God".
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