Bethlehem’s Mayor Urges Peace Prayer
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BETHLEHEM, Israeli-Occupied West Bank — Mayor Elias Freij said Tuesday that Bethlehem is ready for the thousands of Christian pilgrims who will come here to celebrate Christmas at the birthplace of Jesus, and he urged the world to pray for peace.
“My Christmas message to the world is to stop spending billions on armaments and give these resources to people all over the world to improve their lives,” the Christian mayor said as he looked over the hilltop Manger Square.
“We should pray and think about peace at this time,” said Freij, who has been mayor of Bethlehem for 15 years.
Freij also said he hopes that battles in Lebanon between Shia Muslim militiamen and Palestinian fighters will halt at Christmas.
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