|PIC1|The Israeli army has announced it will ease access to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, during the Christmas period in a move of “calculated risk”, it said.

Israeli Lt. Col. Aviv Feigel said pilgrims will not need permission from the army to enter the West Bank town.

The military has also announced it will conduct random spot checks on busses rather than checking each bus in a bid to speed up entry into the town.

The easier access will also be granted to Arab Israelis and Christian Palestinians wishing to visit family, said Feigel.

The restrictions will be eased from 24th December to 18th January, when the Armenian church celebrates Christmas, he said.

The announcement comes amid concerns over a series of metal turnstiles at the Israeli border terminal which critics say is affecting the number of tourists visiting the town.

The ongoing complaints come amid calls from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, head of the Catholic Church of England and Wales, together with other Christian leaders, for more people to visit Bethlehem as a sign of hope and solidarity with those facing the continuing difficulties in the region, reports Ekklesia.

"The town of Jesus Christ’s birth is experiencing serious hardship,” said the Cardinal. “The severe loss of tourist income on which Bethlehem depends, and increasing difficulties of access to holy sites, are contributing to emigration, notably of Christian families.”|QUOTE|

He added: “We urge Christians and all people who care for Bethlehem to visit the town and not let it be forgotten.”

Some 250,000 pilgrims have visited the town of 30,000 since January, compared with 100,000 in 2004.

Town officials are planning an open-air Christmas market and over the weekend workers have set up small stages for dances and choir performances.