About Mayor of the Bethlehem

Election of Mr. Hanna Samir Hanania as Mayor of Bethlehem

In its session held on May 7, 2026, the Bethlehem Municipal Council elected:

Mr. Hanna Samir Hanania as Mayor of Bethlehem.

Born in the city of Bethlehem on July 4, 1979, Mr. Hanna Samir Hanania grew up in an authentic Bethlehem environment, deeply rooted in the city’s history, identity, and its social, cultural, and national life. Bethlehem—with its profound human, spiritual, and civilizational symbolism—served as the foundation for his deep commitment to serving the community, enhancing the city’s standing, preserving its heritage, and working toward its future.

He completed his secondary education at the Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem in 1997, and later earned a Master’s degree in Financial Management from the Arab Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences in 2007. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Business Administration at Palestine Ahliya University. His academic background in management and finance has enabled him to develop a practical vision for corporate governance, public administration, strategic planning, and the enhancement of municipal performance.

Municipal Service

Mr. Hanania emerged as a prominent figure in the municipal life of Bethlehem. He served as a member of the Bethlehem Municipal Council from 2013 to 2017, before subsequently assuming the position of Mayor of Bethlehem and head of its Municipal Council. Throughout his career in municipal governance, Hanania has worked to solidify the role of the Bethlehem Municipality as a leading institution at both the local and national levels. He has contributed to strengthening its presence within the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities. His efforts have focused on developing municipal services, enhancing strategic planning, expanding community engagement, and supporting local development initiatives—all in alignment with Bethlehem’s status as a pivotal Palestinian city with both national and international significance.

Community Engagement

Beyond his municipal duties, Hanania has maintained an active presence in the civic, social, and community life of Bethlehem. He has served on the boards of several local institutions and associations, including the Orthodox Club in Bethlehem and the Holy Land Foundation.

In 2021, he also served as the honorary president of the Islamic Club in Bethlehem—a clear reflection of his inclusive approach, his support for community-based organizations, and his commitment to fostering social cohesion among the city’s diverse components.

Hanania places a special emphasis on youth and sports, drawing from his own personal experience as an athlete who represented Palestine in various international sporting championships. He views sports and youth-oriented initiatives as effective tools for character building, cultivating leadership, and instilling values ​​of belonging, resilience, and positive civic participation.

Leadership Positions

Throughout his career in public service and municipal administration, Mr. Hanna Hanania has held a number of prominent leadership roles spanning the sectors of municipal services, infrastructure, education, tourism, planning, and development. These positions reflect the confidence that local and official institutions have placed in his leadership and management capabilities, as well as his role in advancing services and strengthening institutional operations in Bethlehem.

Notable positions he has held include:

Chair of the Education Tax Committee in Bethlehem.

Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jerusalem District Electricity Company.

Head of the Water and Wastewater Authority in Bethlehem.

Chair of the Joint Services Council for Solid Waste Management in Bethlehem.

Chair of the Joint Services Council for Planning and Development.

Chair of the Joint Services Council for Tourism Development in Bethlehem.

He also serves as a member of several high-level committees dedicated to the religious, cultural, and developmental identity of Bethlehem. These include the Higher Presidential Committee of Churches Affairs in Bethlehem, the Higher Presidential Committee for the Restoration of the Church of the Nativity, the Higher Committee for "Bethlehem: Capital of Arab Culture 2020," and the Executive Committee for the Strategic Development Plan of the Bethlehem Governorate.

International Networks and Relations

Mr. Hanania has contributed to strengthening Bethlehem’s international presence through his participation in various regional and international city networks and organizations. This engagement underscores Bethlehem’s unique status as a city of global spiritual, cultural, and historical significance—a city that conveys a message to the world as a beacon of peace, faith, and human heritage.

His international memberships and affiliations include:

The Arab Towns Organization.

United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

The Middle East and West Asia Section of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG-MEWA).

Mayors for Peace.

The International Association of Educating Cities.

The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact. UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

Network of Mediterranean Cities.

Global City Indicators Facility.

Permanent Convention of Historic Cities in the Mediterranean.

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

These networks facilitate cooperation between Bethlehem and cities worldwide in areas such as peacebuilding, education, sustainability, climate action, food policy, learning-city initiatives, heritage preservation, and urban development.

Vision for the City of Bethlehem

Hanania’s vision for the city of Bethlehem is rooted in its profound identity as the birthplace of Jesus Christ—a Palestinian city that embodies a message of faith, heritage, coexistence, and resilience. This vision centers on achieving sustainable urban and social development, while preserving the city’s unique cultural and spiritual status and strengthening its presence both nationally and internationally.

Hanania places particular emphasis on fostering community engagement, empowering youth, supporting environmental initiatives, advancing strategic planning, developing the tourism sector, and expanding international cooperation. Through his leadership, he seeks to solidify Bethlehem’s role as a city of peace and hope—one capable of meeting the needs of its residents, safeguarding its legacy, and carrying its humanitarian and national message to Palestine and the world.