Bethlehem, a place of Christian pilgrims for centuries is quickly becoming engulfed by Israel's security barrier. Once consistently overrun with tourists it is increasingly emptied of life, now resembling a bleak prison town with it's checkpoints, sandbags, breeze blocks and heavy military presence. Once inside the compound, the birthplace of Jesus is a safe haven of reverent serenity via military lock down.
In a desperate message to save it from economic peril, 'Open Bethlehem' is an initiative to help rescue towns along the West Bank from isolation and collapse'.
In this picture essay Mark...