Israel - Distribution of Christmas trees

(22 Dec 1997) T/I: 10:42:40 Is it the spirit of Christmas? Is it a sign of peace and goodwill? During the countdown to Christmas, Israeli authorities began distributimg free Christmas trees to the Palestinian population in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. After the signing of the peace deals between Israel and Palestinians, the Christian inhabitants of Bethlehem were faced with a dilemma. The problem was that the Palestinian Authority got control over the holy sites of Bethlehem while the Israelis remained in control over the forests surrounding the city; the economy of Bethlehem has suffered badly as Israeli security measures keep away tourists and pilgrims. But peace and goodwill has prevailed and the Jewish Fund which maintains the forest agreed to distribute the trees to the Palestinian municipality of Bethlehem. Town authorities sent trucks to the forest where they were loaded with trees. SHOWS: JERUSALEM, ISRAEL 17/12 MS sign; VS Palestinian workers loading christmas trees on a truck; Palestinians loading trees on cars; SOT Yosi Sapir, Jewish Fund (in English) "It is a good sign for the peace process, these trees really symbolise peace. It is a good sign for Christmas and also for (the Jewish festival of) Hanukka." VS people checking trees; cars leaving with trees. 1.20 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...