Paul Calvert spoke to Mayor Vera Baboun

Vera: I reflected on it and during my speech I was preparing for it and thus reflected on the first one. How can it be that the city of the nativity that gave the world the message of peace, does not live with real peace? And while lighting the tree, many times I reflected on what the significance is, is it only a renewal for our needed hope, is it a renewal for our need for peace, or a renewal for our message of love to the whole world? But we live a victimisation process that every time you light the tree, you light and renew your hope in a different reality. So this time when we lit the tree, at least for me, it went beyond a message of hope, but an adamant call for all the people, for all humanity not to neglect our voice and our need for a state of liberty and a state of independence. Enough is enough and this time when I lit the tree with the Prime Minister I prayed for no more negligence.

Paul: Do you want to see Christians around the world take Bethlehem to their hearts?

Vera: What a very important question. I believe maybe not everybody is aware that Bethlehem is there and is therefore needed to be more embraced in the heart. Bethlehem is all about a message. When neglecting Bethlehem to suffer all the suffering that it passes through, when its citizens emigrate and thus seeking other opportunities, we are talking about a city where it is completely blocked, its resources and opportunities are blocked. It needs the global citizens of Bethlehem who believe in its message to really understand what Bethlehem is all about. This is a question I ask and that is why I always urge any political solution within the Israeli Palestinian conflict, it really supports Bethlehem to remain. Bethlehem suffers a lot from all the Israeli occupation practices. Now you think of the new wall to be built around Beit Jala, the last resort for people to go and to move, where is the world? Where are the Christians? Bethlehem is not only for Bethlehem, Bethlehem is for everybody who believes in the message of goodness. Are they there for it?

I repeat one statement once said by one of the students I met after discussing the role of Bethlehem and their role as students and citizens of Bethlehem. He was so pessimistic that he asked me, ''Mrs Mayor, please after all this tell me what can Bethlehem do for me?'' I was completely stunned and silent. It was a very logical question, but I had to turn it and told him, ''Well let us think together what can we do for Bethlehem, all of us?" And this is a question I raise, is the world willing to gather to do something for Bethlehem through a very important and highly needed political solution within the Arab Israeli conflict?

Paul: On Christmas Eve the scouts parade here in Manger Square. Do they come from all over Palestine?

Vera: No the scout groups are from Bethlehem.

Paul: It must be really exciting to see them parading and getting their instruments out on the streets.

Vera: In Bethlehem we have many different scout groups and they are all good bagpipers. The tradition of the bagpipe is very well known in Bethlehem and you can see them in Christmas going all over. Scout groups and bagpipers are a very important tradition, so they keep on it and develop it every year. I am very proud of them.

Paul: Will President Abbas be visiting the Nativity Church this year?

Vera: Yes he will. Definitely President Abbas is attending the 24th and will participate with us and be part of the celebrations and mainly the mass.

Paul: Christmas is a Christian celebration, but do Muslims enjoy it as well?

Vera: Definitely and that is the beauty of Bethlehem, that we live together and that we experience the same experiences together, whether experiences of joy, or of hardship. Together we are there.

Paul: What has been the highlight of the year for you?

Vera: The lighting of the Christmas tree this year. You know the number of people who attended and who watched it on the webcam, or on the broadcasting media everywhere, we extended a message and everybody was really keen to participate and to be part of it. Our voice was heard I hope. It was an achievement.