Christmas Eve saw more visitors to Bethlehem than at any time in a decade. According to the Israeli military, at least 100,000 people entered the town of Jesus’ traditional birthplace, compared to 70,000 last year. As in past years, Israeli authorities eased travel restrictions in order to allow West Bank Christians access for religious observances. 500 permits were also issued for Christians living in the Gaza Strip to enter Israel to attend religious services and for family visits. In 1995, Israel turned over full administrative and security control to the Palestinian Authority, at the time headed by Yassir Arafat. Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarseh, a Christian, injected a political note, expressing hope that this year would “bring our right to self-determination, our right to establish our own democratic, secular Palestinian state on the Palestinian land.” About 2 per cent of the residents of Palestinian Territories are Christian.