FILE - In this Thursday, May 12, 2011 file photo, Palestinians hold a key symbolizing the right of return of refugees, and wave Palestinian flags, during a demonstration to mark the 63rd anniversary of "Nakba", Arabic for "Catastrophe", the term used to mark the events leading to Israel's founding in 1948, in Manger Square outside the Church of Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. At Christmas time, the world looks to Jesus' traditional birthplace of Bethlehem, and this year the Palestinians hope to divert some of that attention to their re-energized quest for recognition. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi, File)

http://news.yahoo.com/palestinians-statehood-bid-part-christmas-065338866.html

Palestinians' statehood bid part of Christmas

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — At Christmas time the world looks to Jesus' traditional birthplace of Bethlehem, and this year the Palestinians hope to use some of that attention to boost their quest for independence.

They're trying to be subtle about it, with just a hint of politics in this year's Christmas slogan, "Palestine celebrating hope," a veiled reference to their bid this fall to win U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state.

Organizers say they didn't want to be overtly political for fear of putting off foreign pilgrims in search of a religious experience. Some 90,000 foreign visitors are expected to throng the Church of the Nativity and adjacent Manger Square in December, including 50,000 during Christmas week.

"We want to use this opportunity to convey a message to the world that we have hope of having our own independent state and we need the international support for that," said Palestinian Tourism Minister Khouloud Daibes. "Since Christmas is a religious occasion, we can't use direct political slogans."

Volunteers will distribute postcards with the Christmas motto in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born. Visitors can then mail them at the Manger Square post office, using Palestinian stamps, another symbol of the state in the making.

Members of a tour group from Britain and Canada heading into the Nativity church Tuesday had mixed feelings. Some, like 37-year-old pilot Mario Savian from Ontario, said they didn't like injecting politics into Christmas.

But Catherine Meecham, 62, a retired health worker from Scotland, said there was a legitimate connection because Christmas is a time to pray for peace. "I want to see people in Palestine find a peaceful solution," she said....READ MORE