Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is accustomed to receiving foreign dignitaries in the Mukataa in Ramallah – the PA's seat of government. While it would stand to reason that is where he would meet with US President Joe Biden on his tour of the Middle East, the latter has opted to meet with the Palestinian leader in Bethlehem – away from any symbol of Palestinian nationality.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
This, of course, is a calculated decision. The American president is scheduled to visit the Augusta Victoria Hospital in east Jerusalem ahead of his meeting with Abbas, and as no American president has ever visited a Palestinian institution in east Jerusalem, the stop is a deviation from protocol – one the Israelis are having a hard time accepting. Meeting with Abbas outside Ramallah strives to strike a better balance, and is better in terms of keeping up appearances.
Foreign dignitaries who visit Ramallah are required to follow Palestinian protocol, including placing a wreath on the grave of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat in the Mukataa.
The presidents of the United States, however, cannot afford to do that. President Donald Trump also chose to meet Abbas in Bethlehem during his Middle East tour, in 2017.
Other aspects of an American president's visit to the Palestinian Authority are also easier to handle outside Ramallah.
From a security standpoint, access to Bethlehem is easier, with potential friction points along the way. Its urban layout does not mandate complex security procedures, as opposed to Ramallah, which is dense, crowded, and overall unpredictable.
Traveling through Ramallah en route to the Mukataa requires driving in highly populated areas. Even if Biden arrived in Ramallah by helicopter, his extended security details and entourage would still have to drive to the city, passing through either the Qalandiya, Beitunia, or Beit-El checkpoints – all of which are highly volatile.
In contrast to chaotic Ramallah, where Palestinian activists are planning an anti-Biden demonstration, Bethlehem is quieter and more welcoming. Any protest held there – if one takes place – stands to be far less unruly.
Still, the May 11 killing of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin and the inability to definitely determine the source of the shooting clouds the visit and may fuel a protest in or around Bethlehem over what the Palestinians have termed the investigation's "cover-up."
A visit to Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus – also appeals to Biden's constituency. Even without visiting the Church of the Nativity, the name "Bethlehem" strikes a chord with many Christians in the US, and in a situation where the president needs every vote ahead of the midterm elections. This makes Bethlehem much more beneficial to Biden than Ramallah – a convenient default with minimal damage.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
