Victor Batarseh
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Victor Batarseh (Arabic,فيكتور بطارسة) (born 1935) was the mayor of Bethlehem in the West Bank in the occupied Palestinian territories, from May 20th 2005 to November 15th 2012. During his time as mayor, Dr. Batarseh also served as the Vice Chairman of the Jerusalem District Electricity Co. Ltd., and as Chairman of the Joint Services Council for the District of Bethlehem. The elections held in 2005 were the first in 29 years for Bethlehem. Dr. Victor Batarseh ran for mayor under the slate of Bethlehem Brotherhood and Development. This slate is a group of independently minded Bethlehemites, which consisted of 8 Christians and 7 Muslims, three of which were females. As mayor, Dr. Batarseh managed to accomplish many things for the city. This includes improving infrastructure throughout the city (2.3 million Euros spent), creating a master plan for the city, forming the Joint Services Council for solid waste management,capacity building projects for the departments of the Municipality, establishing a geographical information system unit (GIS), initiating sisterships with 25 cities internationally, and contributing greatly toward the Church of the Nativity becoming a part of UNESCO's world heritage list. In his time as mayor, Dr. Batarseh met with many international leaders including Pope Benedict XVI and several heads of state and prime ministers who visited Bethlehem. In January of 2013 the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, conferred Dr. Batarseh with the "Order of Merit".
Before serving the people of Bethlehem as mayor, Dr. Batarseh studied at Ein Shams University in Cairo achieving a degree as a Bachelor of Mecine, Bachelor of Surgery, and a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (D.L.O.). Dr. Batarseh also took a course in Microscopic Ear Surgery in London, and a course in Rhinoplasty in Paris. Dr. Batarseh speaks Arabic, English, and French fluently. After finishing his studies, Dr. Batarseh served as a Medical Officer with the Jordanian Army. Dr. Batarseh's experience includes serving as:
1. Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bethlehem University for 22 years
2. Vice Chairman of the Arab Graduate Club in Jerusalem for 3 years
3. President of the Family Union Club in Bethlehem for 10 years
4. Founder the Palestinian Otorhinolaryngological Society and served as its Chairman for 5 years,
5. Chairman of the Medical Syndicate in the Bethlehem Governorate for several years
6. Member of the Central Medical Syndicate in Jerusalem for several years
7. Member of the Palestinian Higher Medical Council and its examination board for ear, nose, and throat
8. Chairman of the Health Work Committees in the West Bank for several years
See also
External links
- Bethlehem Municipality Website
- UNESCO World Heritage Center
- Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarseh: Preserving a Palestinian identity
- News article in which Batarseh speaks about conditions
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