Israeli tour guides return to Bethlehem

Israeli tour guides were allowed to work in the West Bank city of Bethlehem for the first time in nearly a decade on Monday, officials said, a move the Palestinians hailed as proof of improved security.

The move, authorized by the Israeli military, makes an exception for '50 Jewish and Druze tour guides and drivers,' to work in the city tradition holds to be the birthplace of Jesus, according to a Tourism Ministry statement.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the move, saying it proved it had succeeded in improving security in the territory. The Israeli military has barred most Israeli citizens from entering parts of the West Bank that are controlled by the Palestinian Authority, like Bethlehem, since the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising in 2000.

The 50 guides, chosen by lottery from more than 500 applicants, were briefed by the army on Monday and given a list of emergency numbers before being allowed in, the statement said. Bethlehem is particularly popular with Christian pilgrims who also visit holy sites in Israel, and Israeli guides have long complained of having to leave their groups when they enter Palestinian areas.

Under an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians there is supposed to be reciprocity with regard to tour guides, but the Palestinian tourism ministry said Israel had not yet lived up to its side of the deal.

'We welcome this decision, but we hope that it will be linked to other decisions, including allowing around 42 Palestinian tour guides with permits to work in Israel,' ministry spokesman Jaris Qomsiya said. "Our tourism ministry does not prevent anyone from entering the city and we consider it open to all," he added.