(voa) – The Israeli military has partially lifted a blockade on the West Bank town of Bethlehem but is maintaining a travel ban against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
The army dismantled roadblocks at some road junctions around the Palestinian-ruled town early Friday, but officials say Israeli forces will remain in the area. The Israeli military erected the blockades earlier this month following Palestinian suicide bombings that killed dozens of Israelis.
Israeli officials say they removed the blockade of Bethlehem to allow Christians to visit holy sites more easily during the Christmas holidays. Christians believe their messiah, Jesus, was born in Bethlehem.
However, Israel says Mr. Arafat will not be allowed to attend Orthodox Christmas observances in Bethlehem on January sixth unless he arrests those responsible for the assassination of Israel’s tourism minister in October. The Israeli ban prevented Mr. Arafat from attending Christmas Eve services in Bethlehem on December 24.
The Palestinian leader had attended both Western and Eastern Rite Christian services in Bethlehem since it came under Palestinian rule in 1995.
Palestinian Authority general secretary Ahmed Abdel-Rahman criticized Israel’s decision to extend the ban on Mr. Arafat, saying the move could hamper efforts to restore calm and stability.
Israel’s military has virtually stranded Mr. Arafat at his West Bank headquarters in Ramallah since early December after a series of Palestinian suicide bombings.
Israel says the blockade of Palestinian towns is a security measure to protect Israelis from bombing attacks. The Palestinians call the closures collective punishment for the uprising against Israeli occupation.
