Blair Gets Israel to Let Foreign Christians Fast-track into Bethlehem – Palestinians, No!

"The Defense Ministry on Thursday started setting up a special passage into Bethlehem to be used by Christian pilgrims before and during Christmas, following an official request made by Tony Blair, the Quartet's special envoy to the Middle East. Blair raised the issue during his last meeting with Defense Minister Ehud Barak. He said that due to the careful security checks at the checkpoint leading to Bethlehem, pilgrims are subject to long lines on their way into the West Bank city. The new passage is being erected on the site of the old checkpoint, and will be open to Christian pilgrims only. Palestinians wishing to enter Bethlehem will have to travel via the currently operating checkpoint."  

Palestinians who wish to visit family and friends over Eid are not welcome and the pilgrims do not include Palestinian Christians.   (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/936823.html)