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Bethlehem Has New Female Mayor, Yet Same Old Problems

Bethlehem's inns may be full this time of year, but the city's mayor still faces a slew of deep-seeded problems, writes Daoud Kuttab.
Vera Baboun stands near the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem October 7, 2012. Baboun, a university lecturer, is aiming to become the first female mayor of the Palestinian town, and in the process shake up a society where men still make the laws and do the deals. She has a good chance of achieving the first goal in municipal elections being held across the West Bank on Oct. 20. Picture taken October 7, 2012. To match Feature PALESTINIANS-ELECTIONS/WOMEN  REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WES

When the leadership of the Fatah movement nominated little known Bethlehem University English literature Professor Vera Baboun to run for mayor of the city, few expected her to win. She ran against well-known male candidates as well as individuals supported by Islamists and left-wing Palestinians. But she surprised all on Oct. 20 and won the office of mayor along with the majority of the city’s 15 council seats.

Bethlehem’s first ever female mayor takes over a city that has been restricted from any international aid because the previous mayor, Victor Batarseh, a supporter of a left-wing Palestinian faction won the mayorship by aligning himself with supporters of the Islamic Hamas movement.

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