Bethlehem University graduate, Adnan Barq ’21, was a main TED speaker at the official TEDinArabic Summit that was held on 18-19 March 2023 in Doha, Qatar under the theme “The Butterfly Effect”. Barq’s TED Talk was entitled “Coping with Intergenerational Trauma”.

Barq, who holds a BA in English Language and Literature, is a Palestinian storyteller and content creator who was born in Jerusalem. With more than 150,000 followers on Instagram, he gives his audience a glimpse into the systematic dehumanization and demonization of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

For more information, visit the Bethlehem University webpage:
https://www.bethlehem.edu/2023/03/27/bethlehem-university-graduate-at-tedinarabic-summit/

The Bethlehem Cultural Festival is a virtual celebration of Bethlehem’s rich and diverse cultural scene through music, film, cookery, dance and discussion.

We are really pleased that Open Bethlehem is appearing as part of this year's festival. The festival will run from 3-7 December 2020. 

On Sunday 6 December 2020, Open Bethlehem will be screened: 

https://www.bethlehemculturalfestival.com/events/open-bethlehem/

Afterwards Sir Vincent Fean will be in conversation with the director of Open Bethlehem, Leila Sansour. 

https://www.bethlehemculturalfestival.com/events/open-bethlehem-discussion/

​On Monday 7 December, historian Jacob Norris and Leila Sansour talk about the soon-to-be launch of an online archive of the city.  This is accompanied by a photo display and a Q&A with Mandy Turner.

https://www.bethlehemculturalfestival.com/events/planet-bethlehem-unexpected-tales-from-a-small-town/

Carol and Leila Sansour, the two founders of Open Bethlehem,  at the launch of the project. 

​I  was in London when the Covid-19 lockdown was announced in Bethlehem. This meant I wasn’t going  to be able  to make my way back home any time soon.  You could argue I was lucky to be stuck in London. Bethlehem’s modest medical facilities will never compare to those of Britain, but I was really worried about everyone I left behind.  I sat down and thought about all the times Bethlehem made me worry about its plight- so many if you know the town’s recent history!

You’d be forgiven if the latest on Israel and Palestine has passed you by. We are flooded with ‘news’ right now, and it is difficult to keep up. Unfortunately, this means world events are passing at speed under the radar.  Political leaders by-pass timely questions and their actions escape scrutiny.  But we absolutely must hold our lawmakers to account: how will they respond to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s threat to annex the Palestinian West Bank?

One of the best things about campaigning is working with our good friends in Palestine and around the world. We hugely admire the work of the Balfour Project who've done so much to encourage the UK to deliver on its promise to support Palestinian self-determination. 

At this special time of the year, and for a fleeting moment, the little town of Bethlehem comes into people’s homes and hearts. This is the time to remind your friends and family that Bethlehem is not just a mention in the bible. It is a very important town in the Middle East. It is alive, it is dreaming and, just like all the cities of Palestine, it is struggling to secure a future. Bethlehem needs your support!
Share a shortWe’ve created a 30 minute version of our film, Open Bethlehem, which works as a perfect introduction to the challenges that face the city. Why not share this with those who you think would enjoy or need to learn more? 
30 minute documentary
Gift Open Bethlehem Nothing beats the original – so if you want to share the full movie, you can gift a download or buy DVD of the film here. This is a truly special Christmas present.
Buy a DVD  Stream Open Bethlehem  
Become an ambassador for the cityOur Bethlehem Ambassadors are a special network of individuals who actively support our campaign and work to ensure the city’s future. As such, they make a vital contribution to our effort and we enjoy working and connecting with each one of them. Why not become a life-time ambassador of the city?
Become an ambassador 
With our very best wishes for Christmas and blessings to all of you from Bethlehem.

Leila Sansour, Director of Open Bethlehem, was a key signatory to a letter the Times, London, on 13 September 2018, calling for the British Government to: 

• recognise now the state of Palestine alongside Israel on pre-June 1967 lines
• uphold international law in deed, including the 4th Geneva Convention Britain drafted and ratified after WW II
• give practical effect to UN Security Council Resolution 2334, condemning illegal Israeli settlements, and champion the Arab Peace Initiative, offering regional normality to Israel in return for Palestinian freedom.

The letter was initiated by Sir Vincent Fean and the Balfour Project.