LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Fear and gloom haunted the streets of Bethlehem this Christmas. Instead of tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims from all corners of the globe visiting the birthplace of Jesus as they have done for centuries, travel agencies and hotels were inundated with cancellations. Instead of the traditional glittering and festive overhead lights decorating the road into the city I was met with a shower of stones thrown by angry Palestinian youths. As I left the town, Palestinian youths were hurling stones at Israeli troops guarding the tomb of Rachel, close to the Church of the Nativity. The grotto in the church basement is where Christians believe Jesus was born. December 23 1973 —

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

Congregation members stood guard outside Cape Town’s synagogue yesterday and police said they had stepped up patrols after Friday morning’s pipe-bomb attack in Wynberg. American and British-owned businesses in the city have been warned to be alert after speculation the synagogue bomb was a response to this week’s attack by the US and Britain on Iraq. An armoured vehicle patrolled the street outside the Wynberg synagogue and security guards and young congregation members stood watch as people prayed outside. There were similar scenes in Sea Point but no obvious police presence. An 80-year-old congregation member said: “We are scared but we come to the synagogue. ” A similar feeling was evident yesterday at Planet Hollywood at the Waterfront where a pipe-bomb was planted in August. December 20 1998 —