Page 3 - Left Bethlehem News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Come, we're about to begin. located about 6 miles south of jerusalem, bethlehem is best known for being the birthplace of jesus christ. but the history bethlehem goes back much further. first inhabited more than 3000 years ago by the canaanites, it sits in the land that would come to be known as judea. according to the old testament, it's where david was born and eventually crowned king of the israelites. >> this land was divided among the various kingdoms, king david was years ago. a united the entire nation of israel, and placed jerusalem as its capital when the jews were exiled by the roman...

Including christmas eve and christmas day, here in manger square, the shadow of the church nativity, the mosque of omar blass the call to prayer, five times a day with two speakers. straight at the church of the nativity. ♪ ♪ friday afternoon prayers in case there's any question whether this is a christian or muslim city. the answers right here today. the majority population here in bethlehem by far. ♪ ♪ in many ways, this square in the center of bethlehem, and one of its top tourist destinations is the defining symbol for the historical divide between christianity and islam. flanking ...

Including christmas eve and christmas day, here in manger square, the shadow of the church nativity, the mosque of omar blass the call to prayer, five times a day with two speakers. straight at the church of the nativity. ♪ ♪ friday afternoon prayers in case there's any question whether this is a christian or muslim city. the answers right here today. the majority population here in bethlehem by far. ♪ ♪ in many ways, this square in the center of bethlehem, and one of its top tourist destinations is the defining symbol for the historical divide between christianity and islam. flanking ...

Nativity and the adjoining church of saint catholic. housing a franciscan monastery. at the opposite end is the mosque of foam are. completed in 1860 in name for the second, omar ben qatar. since the formation the modern state of israel in 1948, manger square has often been the stage for key conflicts played out. define crucial moments in its history. from the six-day war in 1967, to a five-week siege at the church nativity by palestinian and islamic in 2002 which began in manger square. as the violence second aid raged the operation defensive shield and entered bethlehem to capture suspected ...

The gunman. and this really defense forces moved in and surrounded them. the siege lasted 39 days until a deal was eventually met the hostages are released and they surrendered. ♪ ♪ the squares best known however, for the manger that it's named after. and the christian celebrations that continue to make it a magnet for christian pilgrims. even as the number of christians living in bethlehem continues to dwindle. all month long, this december fox news is bringing an all-american christmas with stories about the true characters of the season. classic holiday movies, and original specials fea...