"Beit Jala has lost half its land, central Bethlehem has lost a quarter, and Beit Sahour a third," grumbles one resident-a fair summary of recent changes in the city's boundaries.

“Beit Jala has lost half its land, central Bethlehem has lost a quarter, and Beit Sahour a third,” grumbles one resident—a fair summary of recent changes in the city's boundaries.

Well before a new wave of Western pilgrims turned up in the 19th century, his forebears maintained the tradition that Jacob had settled in Beit Sahour after burying his wife Rachel.