Bethlehem

Twinned with Milan since 22 May 2000
Mayor: Hanna Hanania (Mr)
Population: approx. 28.000 inhabitants.

The meaning of Bethlehem in Arabic is, literally, "House of Flesh", in Hebrew it means "House of Bread".

The city is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and is located in the West Bank, in the El Quds district, about 10 km from Jerusalem, in the Judean Mountains. It is located on two hills, the western one with the older nucleus where the majority of the population resides, and the eastern one, less elevated and more level, which houses the Basilica of the Nativity and the convents. The inhabitants are almost all Christians of various Churches (about half are Catholics of the Latin rite).

Bethlehem University is one of the most prominent institutions of higher education in all of Palestine. The economy is based on tourism and traditional craftsmanship of mother-of-pearl and olive wood artifacts. Bethlehem has a long tradition of working with the highest quality stone from nearby quarries.

 

The Twinning, signed on 22 May 2000, affirms Milan's desire to develop relations between the two cities and between their citizens in the fields of public administration, economy, science, culture, education, exchanges commercial and tourism.

It also aims to promote the exchange of official delegations, political representatives, social organizations and school groups.

The city of Bethlehem collaborates with the city of Milan within the MUFPP – Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.

City Relations and Cooperation Unit
International Relations Area
Email: GS.Relazinternazionali@comune.milano.it

Visit the website of the city of Bethlehem

Images from the city

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Updated: 15/02/2023