Skip to the record
Palestine Atlas

Beit Sahour

Basic Information

Type
City
Governorate
Bethlehem
Region
West Bank - Central

Overview

Beit Sahour, known as the 'Town of the Shepherds,' is a predominantly Christian Palestinian town east of Bethlehem. It is traditionally identified as the site of the Annunciation to the Shepherds — where angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds watching their flocks. The town has two sites claiming the Shepherds' Field tradition: the Greek Orthodox site and the Catholic (Franciscan) site. Beit Sahour has a remarkable history of nonviolent resistance during the First Intifada (1987-1993). In 1989, the town famously launched a tax resistance campaign, declaring they would pay no taxes to the Israeli military occupation — 'No taxation without representation.' Israeli authorities responded by seizing property, closing factories, and imposing collective punishment. The campaign drew international attention and became a symbol of Palestinian civil resistance. Like other Bethlehem-area towns, Beit Sahour faces settlement encroachment (Har Homa to the northwest, Efrat to the south) and the separation wall that limits access to land. The town's Christian community has experienced emigration, though it remains one of the more Christian-identified communities in the area.

Historical Significance

Traditionally identified as the site of the Annunciation to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Known for the 1989 tax resistance campaign during the First Intifada — a landmark of Palestinian nonviolent civil resistance. The town maintains strong Christian traditions and hosts the Shepherds' Field pilgrimage sites.

Sources and record limitations

Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.

  • PCBS 2017 Census
  • ARIJ
  • UN OCHA
  • B'Tselem
  • Bethlehem Municipality
  • PASSIA
  • Palestinian municipal records

Beit Sahour's 1989 tax resistance campaign remains one of the most significant examples of Palestinian nonviolent civil resistance. The town's Christian community, while facing emigration pressures, remains culturally vibrant.