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 Has New Female Mayor, Yet Same Old Problems
![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](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2012/q4/Baboun.jpg/Baboun.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=XV4g8h1k)
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