A Tour of Bethlehem in the West Bank of Palestine

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Clarification: At 2:30 in the video I wasn't referring to the story of Jesus as being a myth, since there is a lot of historical evidence to support the possibility that Jesus existed. I was only referring to the story of King Herod ordering all of the male children in Bethlehem to be killed, which might not have actually occurred: "...a majority of Herod biographers, and probably a majority of biblical scholars, hold the story to be myth or legend." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents

[@orehsogan8470]

Well, it was prophecy, that when the messiah was born, Bethlehem will cry for their babies, and how theologians, try to fit their narrative, just saying, imagine having a time machine and seem the horror of those babies and children under 2 been kill, wait that happens even now. They always covered what is not convenient for them, I totally support your view

[@banto1]

Actually, no historical evidence of Jesus ever existing has been found so far. There were a lot of "messiahs" running around at the time, but no historians of the time ever mentioned him specifically.

[@valleyshrew]

@@banto1 Depends what you consider "of the time". 60 years after Jesus's death, the historian Josephus mentioned him, though it was possibly faked as the small reference makes no sense in context.

[@TheKingOfBeans]

@@banto1he literally has a Wikipedia page about his life dude

[@PatRiryl]

@@banto1😂 you’re insane. That statement is offensive to Christians, I also believe my Muslim brothers and sisters would take offense to this statement as well! 🤦‍♂️ 🤫

[@catherineloftus1376]

Bethlehem is an amazing place to visit, the people are very friendly and welcoming. I felt very emotional when visiting the holy sites in Bethleham and Jerusalem. And count myself fortunate to experience, visiting the holy sites the feeling will stay with me forever. So tragic that there is much unrest in the the area.

[@wugglebuggle2592]

I really tot Bethlehem is part of Israel.

[@yahudigahba]

@@wugglebuggle2592 The only thing Israel is connected with Betlethem is that they have chased many Arab christians away.

[@mohamadhashim3822]

​@@wugglebuggle2592no for palestine , just check it in Google and you will see

[@SHOTBYWAVO]

@@wugglebuggle2592nope Bethlehem belongs to Christian’s because it’s we’re Christ we’re born

[@wugglebuggle2592]

@@SHOTBYWAVO yan I know it’s Christian (those who believe Christ). However I am asking where it situated in which country - Israel (Jews )or in Palestine (Muslim)

[@kalpak59]

a valued traveler who needs the support of all of us

[@hinekukuruzsnyak3438]

Been fortunate to have been to Israel an Jordan twice and visited all the sites mentioned in your videos. Loved The West Bank / Bethlehem and Dead Sea . Maybe I missed it but you didn’t go to Masada which is also a fascinating site. So glad I have made memories of that country which may not be possible for a while with the current situation so sad for the Palestinians 😢

[@azdbuk]

Never thought I would want to go, but now that I am older, and the fact the place is central to world's human history, makes me want to go.

[@my_mama_and_me]

Wow! Incredible! Bethlehem is one of my ultimate bucket list destinations. Today is such a fitting day to post this video because in the Catholic religion today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. Thank you so much for sharing. Love your videos!

[@Salma-1414]

I don't know how i came across this video but wow!! Very nice!! I am a Palestinian Christian born in Bethlehem back in December of 1978. My mom wanted a Christmas baby and delivered me just in time at st. Joseph's hospital. My best story!!❤

[@wonjubhoy]

A lovely story. I am a Christian and I am arriving in Bethlehem on a pilgrimage next Monday. Can you give me any advice about Bethlehem?

[@mgdm1124]

​@@wonjubhoyI hope you have managed to leave before the attacks. Keep safe.

[@wonjubhoy]

@@mgdm1124 my pilgrimage was cancelled because the war started 1 day before I was due to travel. Thanks for asking.

[@SHOTBYWAVO]

@@wonjubhoyI will free Bethlehem and make Us independent. We can’t let Israel or Hamas destroy the kingdom of Jesus.

[@DawudSuleiman]

jesus was born mid-late september

[@Firdausjahanibrahim]

Your video of Bethlehem is a visual delight. Thanks for taking us on a captivating journey!

[@TheAdventurousVlogger]

Absolutely loving this series Gabe, When i visited Jerusalem i didn't make Bethlehem as was ill that day, So good to see you there. A wonderful part of the world. Hope you are well. John

[@g.r9736]

I was very blessed to visit most of these places back in 2019 before the pandemic struck. Israel is beautiful and Bethlehem was no exception. Thank you for the video tour Gabriel. God bless!

[@اليوتيوب-ع7ط]

It’s Palestine

[@lonniewilliamson2569]

I know your purpose was not to show a religious pilgrimage, but as a Christian, i thank you for showing the church of the nativity and other sites.

[@ArnoldSteinberg]

It's the off-season for Bethlehem so now is a good time to visit. You'll find cheaper hotel prices. It's no hotter there than any other place in the Mediterranean during the summer & it's a dry heat. You can take a bus or shared taxi van from Jerusalem. If you take a private taxi insist on the meter. It shouldn't cost more than 100 shekels or about $30.

[@magnuspersson1433]

I would love to visit Bethlehem. Thank you Gabriel, for showing us so many interesting places!

[@wynomastockenstroom4052]

Gabriel I am not a religious person but these scenes fills one with extreme awe.. Thank you for sharing

[@ojosazules8828]

Need to see more of delicious Middle Eastern food though😉

[@vaskylark]

You don't have to be a religious person to find the history amazing and interesting.

[@Christine_1111]

Thank you for taking us with you! It’s been a fascinating journey!

[@cypruscats8450]

Gosh, Gabriel you couldn't have picked a more appropriate day. Today, August 15 th is actually the Saints Day of the Virgin Mary! It's widely celebrated in your beloved Greece and Cyprus as one of the biggest holidays of the year!

[@kostislakkas997]

Χρόνια πολλά!Να μας φυλάει πάντα.

[@res2277]

Thanks so much for taking us with you ! ♥

[@mr.sts.p]

Betlehem is beatiful thank you Gabriel for showing it!❤

[@debabanerjee9131]

This is one pf the best places to be to rejuvenate the mind in times like this...

[@eugeniastravels8954]

100%

[@StartLivingNow1963]

That was so cool Gabriel to walk through the old streets of Bethlehem filled with so much History and to see the old buildings and churches that was an Awesome Adventure Watching from New Brunswick Canada.🙂

[@organboi]

You can visit both Mary's birthplace and tomb in the same city.

[@shareonrivas1458]

i just cried on this journey TY Angel Gabriel

[@elizabethcraig5825]

Gabriel you are the most consistently entertaining of all the utube travelers. Always a surprise around the corner and we get to go along. Keep up the great work you do and let’s all explore.🤗🏆🥇❤

[@ladyblabla3611]

Nice that Gabe showed us how you deal with the agressive vendor/sales people in a respectfull matter. He just stepped out of his hotel room and everyone try to sell something it looks like.

[@ivonahofman8457]

Hi Gabriel, all I can say is a big fat WOW. This must be one of your best adventures so far! It has made me quite emotional. Also great and very fitting choice of music there. Bethlehem reminds me of Malta a bit because of the sandstone although the style of architecture is different. Btw, I really like how you interact with people, always being friendly and respectful to everyone from different cultures & religions wherever you are in the world. It's really lovely to see. Keep it up and happy travels :)

[@ghtcastagne]

Wow, thanks for taking us along in those holly sites, you are very fortunate to be there in person. Take care.

[@helencarandreou7368]

A fascinating video Gabriel. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I always wanted to visit the Holy land. Thanks you for this, it's awesome. So much history and so many ancient buildings. Take care and keep safe. Greetings from Queensland, Australia

[@MilaTheTravelJunkie]

Bethlehem is fascinating. From Jerusalem, it will be easier to get a bus to Hebron. You can take the local bus right near the Damascus door. It will drop you right in Hebron, from there you can take a local taxi and arrange the day with the driver, it's a room to bargain the fare, support a Palestinian work, I had a great experience doing that, besides traveling in the local bus route is an authentic experience. Hebron is hectic but interesting. Don't miss Banksy work in Bethlehem. His famous art with the man throwing a bouquet of flowers is right behind a mechanic garage.

[@augustiner8029]

Dear Gabriel thank 😂you so much for this your painstaking tour, to show us the holy places we would not have been able to visit. May the Lord bless and guide you in all your endeavors. I love all your shows.

[@isamaaltaein8672]

Hi Gabe, thank you so much for took us with for beautiful places. We are waiting next video. Chaos

[@ryanpatrickpreston]

7:05 You mention Constantine's key role in the origin of the Church of the Nativity. Indeed, he and his mother were instrumental in converting Jerusalem into a Christian site which opened up religious tourism. Before the 4th century, Jerusalem was a pagan city with temples devoted to Aphrodite and other pagan deities. This happened after 70 CE when the Roman essentially razed the city to the ground during the Jewish rebellion. A truly fascinating history.

[@sdcrilly]

This was excellent. I never thought I would ever see the sites that you showed us. Thanks so much!

[@danielpeti3885]

fantastic upload and content. amazing place to visit. have a safe journey Gabriel.

[@Slykkpkins]

The sites to see there, a place to surely visit. I'm grateful to be able to see where Jesus was born, that was the highlight for me. You do a wonderful job bringing these amazing far away places to view. Such fascinating and interesting sites, contrary to what they say about the West Bank. I totally enjoyed this. Thanks again, safe travels.

[@Simonsvids]

Most of these places were invented locations by the Arabs to make money from the Roman tourists 1,500 years ago. No one knows for sure where the actual locations are.

[@cherylmorrison3]

I’ve followed you for a long time. This is definitely one of my favorites. I know I will never visit there, so thanks for taking us to Bethlehem (better than Greece). But all your vlogs are excellent. A faithful viewer. ❤

[@johnknox4293]

cool exploring Gabe! thanks for showing us around

[@ЛюбомирСтоянов-э9щ]

Thank you for these unique pictures. This is really an experience of a lifetime!

[@dansantoli1557]

Man you have had a crazy year thur far! Thank you for bringing us along the journey its been so awesome to watch

[@apostolia2124]

Gabe, citizen of the world, the taxi driver was right, i thought the same when you tried on that arab scarf in your previous video, you look like an Arab, i can picture you in a full arabic costume. Great video, awesome building you stayed in. The whole area there has a certain vibe of course.🙏✌✨

[@ksiljegovi]

I haven’t gone through all of the comments but in case you didn’t know, or no one else commented, 17:07 many of the columns in the main entrance of the church have etchings scratched into the columns of names and drawings done by the crusaders. I found that so interesting. The main altar belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church, the small chapel to the right of the main altar belongs to the Armenians, I believe, and the chapel to the left of the main altar belongs to the Roman Catholics.

[@andysm1964]

oh Man! one of your best videos ,10 out of 10...you are giving an unbiased view of the place and showing people ,friendly and welcoming- even dodgy taxi drivers as else where...been waiting all day for this,and not disappointed ...now we wait for the bible- brigade adding their view points and your early " myth " comment,and not hearing the full content...cannot wait for tomorrows vid..keep up the good work

[@JaneMatthews-km6sr]

Thank you, Gabriel. Your video literally sent chills down my spine. Absolutely fabulous and breath taking. xx

[@laurataylor9207]

There were too many people crowded around the 'manger' with another guide talking loudly in another language. It was very difficult to feel anything in such a holy place. Still an amazing experience.

[@stellamarina4123]

A wonderful day of exploring. Thank you.

[@thortessem271]

Great video. My friend Sandie was just in Bethlehem. She got dehydrated. Stay hydrated and cool.

[@osmanothman978]

Beautiful video showing peace loving peoples in Palestine

[@samantha1877]

Always wanted to go to the holy land

[@JesusistheLambofGod]

This is where your birth name comes alive. Good to see you in Bethlehem

[@asynchronicity]

What happens when one's name "comes alive"....? Sounds intense.

[@kas789]

@@alnchi3228“visited“

[@eugeniastravels8954]

Yes. :)

[@bigmichigangreen8173]

I can't usually watch right when these are posted but I always open to check the length. I let out an audible "yes!" Today with a small fist pump lol. Can't wait to chill out and watch later, thanks man!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Sweet, enjoy.

[@donstravelsandrants.]

That was so, so good to watch. Thanks Gabriel. 👍😊🇮🇪🇵🇸

[@mathiasmeyer8475]

Thanks for taking us around to those places ❤

[@eugeniastravels8954]

Thank you so much for this video, showing where Jesus was born. 🙏

[@janettodd1195]

Love looking in old churches and cathedrals 😊

[@Cavoglaveeee]

Gabe no reason to explain yourself why you are going to visit the place of Jesus’ birth. Your content is awesome!

[@effie-Toronto]

Nice to see another video of the Holy City thank you Gabe

[@wjhrazorsedge76]

I haven't watched all of your videos, but if you go to the Dead Sea, I recommend seeing Masada as well, if you haven't.

[@TheHuski]

Awesome video Gabriel from start to finish.. Enjoyed the visit to where Jesus was Born. Great to walk around and just see what Bethlehem streets look like. Great job, stay safe Gabe… 😃👍

[@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube]

I can see a halo of glow surrounding you ❤

[@redhorse554det1]

oh yes , one of your best tours. such an interesting city.. hope you show us much more!

[@JennyGunner-ge3lz]

What a fascinating place must feel surreal to be there, thank you for your interesting commentary and history as always enjoyable 💜✨😊

[@nenem.5165]

Gabriel. This is so beautiful. Thank you for your visit. May God bless you for showing the world those holy places. Please let us know if you will ever go yo Egypt. There is lots of History there as well. Lots of monasteries. 🤗

[@shareonrivas1458]

the last few minutes literally felt like a video game !! so crazy !

[@shareonrivas1458]

SWEET JESUS HAS LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE OVER AND OVER AGAIN "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING." PRAY WITH FERVOR EVERY PLEA AND PETITION AND FIRST TTHE CRIES HE WILL HEAR AND ANSWER BACK WITH HIS GRACE.

[@francisdonovan8331]

Your the best, Gabriel ,keep up the great work

[@S.Huskic]

For some reason people in other countries tend to think that everybody coming from the western world is rich. I’m Bosnian living in Sweden but when traveling abroad I always say that I’m coming from Bosnia; otherwise, if I say that I’m from Sweden people charge me twice as much. Once I was in Monastir, Tunisia, where I was interested in some purses for my wife. The first price I was offered was 300 dinar but when I started speaking Arabic that I learned as a student in Qatar, local guy working in the market thought I was Palestinian or Syrian. When I told him that I’m actually coming from Bosnia he dropped the price to 50 dinar 😂 but it’s even more ridiculous what he said when I was leaving his shop. He said, my brother 300 dinar is only for the Americans 😂 Gabriel, my advice to you would be: never reveal that you’re coming from 🇺🇸 Instead, try to speak broken English, change the accent if you’re good at it etc.

[@Greatpacificnorthwesterner]

Or just pay the difference. They need that relatively small amount of money more than an average American , and it’s really not that much in the scheme of things.

[@MtBakerlife]

Thank you Gabriel, for sharing history, and insight!

[@mirzagoralija4492]

Great video again Gabriel !!! 😀😀😀 You have never visited the holy city of Medugorje in Bosnia & Herzegovina, the place of apparitions of the Virgin Mary !!! 😀😀😀

[@thefoodyoumaylike1293]

I am happy to see you there👌🙏

[@jscout04]

Never cease to amaze. Incredible.

[@paulmiller7775]

Thanks Gabriel! I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

[@david1george]

Very interesting tour of Bethlehem. I've seen so many horror stories about cabbies from other youtubers that cold approach in other countries that I wouldn't trust the cabbie at 5:00 either. If I can't call them using the uber app or some other well known taxi app, I would never chance it.

[@yevgeniabolotovski6379]

Oh thank you so much for this video! I live in Haifa and know I can't go visit these places.

[@mariannemaag7692]

thank you ❤, very interesting! loved it. be blessed!

[@hugo7506]

Gabriel, not sure if you have done this, in the City of David there is a water tunnel tour, seems like it took 20 min. to walk, will need flashlite and exspect to get wet.

[@jampuppy]

Cicadas remind me of summer. I thought they were everywhere, though I guess I don’t remember hearing them in Belgium. They are singing their songs loud and clear in Michigan right now, as usual! Lemon and mint is so good together! 😋 I’m not Christian but the stories around it are very interesting and the sites are, to use your word, intense!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

They definitely aren't everywhere but are in other parts of the world. The ones in the Mediterranean have a specific sound. I've heard them in Thailand but they sound very different. In Michigan is it crickets you're hearing? Because they sound different from what you hear in this part of the world.

[@WakizashisTeahouse]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos I moved from cicada-free UK to Japan and will never forget the first time I heard the cicadas chorus. Mind-blowing at first, now it feels like the sound of summer. Love this latest video, Gabriel. It's one of your best. Safe travels!

[@jampuppy]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos No. They are cicadas. They sound just like the ones in your videos of Greece. …at least as far as I can discern via digital transmission. Perhaps if I heard them in person I might hear slight differences. I love the sound. Some people are bothered by it. It certainly can be loud. Wow! I dug a little. Cicadas are fascinating creatures! Many, many varieties across the globe, including both Belgium and the UK (though sparse)! The ones I hear in Michigan are usually the “Dog Days” variety. Heard them in other states as well - or something very similar.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Cool. 👍

[@holger4644]

The Dead Sea! Wonderful idea, hope to see you there...

[@ryanpatrickpreston]

7:30 The wild thing about Justinian is that he was, as you say, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor but he spoke Latin rather than Greek due to the fact that he was from Northern Macedonia. If memory serves, he could also speak Greek, but with a sharp accent.

[@scottsimon8543]

Israel is far from being the most expensive country in the world. It's a developed country so it's not cheap, but no more expensive than Europe. Tel Aviv was listed as one the most expensive cities to live in because of high rent. Use Gett taxi for taxis or ask them to use the meter. It's against the law for them to refuse & it will always be cheaper. If they refuse, just get out of the taxi.

[@NepToon10]

I am Israeli, trust me to tell you that this is the most expensive country in the world, and I have been to the most expensive countries in Europe and Israel is still the most expensive. Food, fuel and apartments here are extremely expensive and it is getting worse

[@scottsimon1]

@@NepToon10 I'm Israeli too. Lived here for 12 years. London, Paris Barcelona are far more expensive than Tel Aviv. Most western European countries its about the same price or more for a meal in a restaurant - ₪50 or more for lunch. Fuel prices are the same in Europe. I know as Israelis we love to complain, but the truth is inflation in Europe last year was 9%, Israel 4%.

[@georgeghazaryan]

Bethlehem is a Palestinian city located in the West Bank my friend.

[@roamingalone5226]

This is the BEST video for me.

[@marciazapata8031]

Missing my days in Bethlehem.....loveeeeee

[@suruunconditionalluv3360]

Wow, this video made me happy ❤❤❤

[@ageoflove1980]

I can respect that hustling and haggling is part of the culture in these parts of the world, but it always makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. Always a challenge to be polite but firm in declining an offer when people are particulary persistent. Also there is of course always the chance that people are just genuinely curious, and it that case you would want to avoid being rude.

[@scottsimon8543]

You have to do it unless you like getting ripped off. It's expected. Most people that come up to you in Bethlehem which a very touristy town are hustlers. If you see an Arab wearing a cross, give them your business, because there are many less Christians in the city.

[@marvinsalamero9111]

Wowwww My dream travel destinations 😍♥️ The birth Holy Place Of Our Lord God 🙏♥️ Jesus Christ, Wish to Visit there Soon and to Explore This Wonderful Place thank u so much sir Gabe for your wonderful walk around tour video Godbless from the Philippines 🇵🇭🙏🙂♥️ 👏👏👏👏👏👍

[@sirapos6550]

Looks like Chania, Crete,a little bit. The Old Town, surrounding the Venetian Port.

[@aspiceoflife]

so excited!

[@Moemuntz]

Re: Justinian and the Roman Empire. They’re as Roman as it gets. The Byzantine Empire label is very modern, popularized by the Germanic Holy Roman Empire. No one called them byzantines when they were around. For legitimacy reasons. Both, the eastern & western Romans and their neighbors called them Romans. So much so, that Arabs, Turks and Persians to this day sometimes call Greeks “romans” especially when talking about their food, clothes, cities, and places in Anatolia and the Mediterranean.

[@ronaldcarlson8572]

Great job Gabe, really enjoyed this and seeing the history of this region. I like the one stranger you spoke with, but I'll take California over Miami any day.

[@marimuthu-gz5tf]

Amazing . Thanks for sharing 👍

[@wilfredotorres6628]

Hi Gabriel, fascinating day traveling the West Bank it was just awesome to see the birthplace of Jesus and just an incredible amount of history. You can go in any direction and find a historic area. It seems that taxis anywhere in the world are just scammers, it's such a cutthroat industry. It's gotten worse because of Uber which destroyed the purchasing of the medallion cabs which cost over 100,00 USD. Even the hotel industry is in major trouble with Airbnb reinventing these businesses.

[@eugeniastravels8954]

I took a few taxi rides in Greece, this month, and every taxi driver was really friendly, funny, respectful and honest. 😀

[@kennymcalpine8970]

Fantastic content capturing the beating heart of one of humanities greatest delusions , going there for non religious reasons must have been intense , respect Gabriel

[@ryanpatrickpreston]

49.25 And lest we forget Constantine had already moved the capitol from Rome to Byzantion - which he re-named Constantinople, "City of Constantine."

[@user-ed2go3zv8x]

Very nice video thank you

[@christ3415]

Hi Gabriel, I know that man has a very important job to do, but I did like the Sepulchre better when it's quieter. Chris from Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺

[@super10nano1]

Incredible work!

[@lovelyfish8053]

Thank you for your beautiful video..why this city is empty no people

[@narelleberes5809]

Gorgeous thank you 😊

[@tombuddy100]

Are all buildings in Betlehem made of stone blocks? Reminds me of Malta. Also, it is nice visitors do not have to pay entrance fee to any of the sites in Betlehem.

[@raitisfreimanis]

I believe that there is an abundance of limestone in the near vicinity of Bethlehem.

[@ivonahofman8457]

I was thinking the same! Very much like Malta, just a slightly different architecture.

[@lutfi1981]

Yes. All buildings same I'm jordan.

[@yahudigahba]

Well, Malta also have some arabic history.

[@nater9524]

Ahoy brother🙌🏼. You should’ve open the video while showing the breakfast area and said this the exact location where Jesus had his first breakfast 🤣. As always great clips bro and safe travels. Love and Peace.

[@tareksaba1ify]

Palestinians population was once 35% christian before israeli #nakba , of 1948, they kicked out many of the Christians

[@abcxyz8787]

Actually the Christians left when the Israelis left and they had to deal with the Muslim majority PA. In Israel itself the percentage of Christians stays the same for decades.

[@Verity888]

We see through your lies. Lebanon was majority Christian before the Muslims gained control and kicked the Christians out. This pattern happens in all lands when Muslims become the majority. Nice try Tarek.

[@tareksaba1ify]

@@abcxyz8787 not true! 1948 invading jews drove 800,000 Palestinian from jerusalem and the rest of Palestine. Nice try . Zio propaganda. USS liberty bombing and 911 5 dancing Israeli, look those up also

[@ba-dy8hr]

Because the christians palestiniens and muslims too run away from the perscution of israeli occupation most palestniens now live in jordan and lebanon

[@Awikzhkg.6435]

@@ba-dy8hr That happens when a place like PILISTIN doesn't have proper governance, with many militant groups and factions that controls the state.

[@senorromantico7723]

It is fascinating to see your journey from budget travels to now being able to travel comfortably as your youtube career took off. Was your purpose with the channel to get to this point from the get go or did you just post videos for fun in the beginning?

[@alexalex-uq4cm]

Nobody does anything for fun, the world works with money, didn't you know that?

[@janakotrcova2790]

Are you sure?You might be surprised to find someone who doesn t see anything but money,then it will make them money.@@alexalex-uq4cm

[@senorromantico7723]

@@alexalex-uq4cm Some people have passion projects which not always involve money. Are you not aware of that?

[@haronli5575]

Beautiful Bethlehem ❤