Pope Francis included a stop at the Suicide Bomber Protection Wall during today’s whirlwind tour of Bethlehem, presumably to pray for protection from Palestinian suicide terrorists. The Vatican did not release a statement about the stop, but sources close to the Holy See said the Pontiff was likely checking the last line of defense against Palestinian terrorists before entering Israeli-controlled Jerusalem.
Until this wall was put up, more than 1000 Israelis were murdered and countless more maimed and injured by citizens of the Palestinian Authority.
Under Palestinian Authority control, the number of Christians living in Bethlehem dwindled to under 15% of the population, from approximately 50% when it was under Israeli rule. Most Arab Christians fled to safer areas due to Muslim and Palestinian Authority threats, harassment and terror.