Day 5: Bethlehem

On our fifth day of camp, we set out for Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and a city rich in history, culture, and contemporary challenges. Our journey began with an unplanned detour through Beit Jala due to a checkpoint closure. Here, we learned about the revered Saint Nicholas, who, beyond his Western association with Santa Claus, is believed to have protected locals from the Irgun and Hagana during the Nakbeh. Our first official stop was the Palestinian Heritage Center, where Maha Saqa enlightened us about the significance of traditional Palestinian dresses, with their designs narrating stories of various villages and lifestyles. Campers got to try on some traditional clothes as well. This deep dive into tradition was contrasted by our subsequent visit to the Lajee Center at the Aida Refugee Camp, where we confronted the harsh realities of life under occupation, with the camp overshadowed by a massive wall and military watchtowers. Campers witnessed the structural and systemic violence of the occupation and heard firsthand accounts from the people living there. Then we were off to the old city of Bethlehem. As we walked through Star Street, we were transported back in time, culminating in a visit to the iconic Church of Nativity and the surrounding manger square, where campers got to explored in their free time. Our trip to Bethlehem continued with a visit to The Walled Off Hotel, a living testament to art, resistance, and the Palestinian spirit. We concluded with a symbolic gesture as we spray-painted on the wall, leaving our mark on this ugly monument that represents apartheid.