Not the standard "Israeli Immigration" question.

Hey,
Officially there is a commitment to academic freedom, officially you can travel to the West Bank and officially your trip to Syria and Lebanon doesn't have to mean much. However at the end of the day it is all down to the discretion of the the official at immigration. You could be fine just landing, explaining your situation and answering the questions, however if I was you I would try to get as much proof as possible that you're actually there for a research trip (letters from your college? professors? details from any libraries/archives/museums whatever in Israel or the West Bank that you've contacted to ask for permission to research etc). You also have the option of just saying you're coming here for a holiday and are staying in Jerusalem and then going to Bethlehem. I was here last June tying in a holiday whilst doing some research work that involved some time in the West Bank and I just told the girl at immigration that I was here on holiday and I was through customs in 5 minutes.
Hope this helps,

Thanks for the advice, makes a lot of sense. I hate being this overly paranoid about everything, an even considering the 'honesty' of my answers...don't like the idea of my research possibilities being determined on the whim of a tired immigration officer!

All should be well though...fingers crossed.

Thanks for the help.

i have syria, lebanon, indonesia and malaysia in my passport and i had no problems getting to bethlehem. i was never asked what i would be doing in bethlehem. they may ask you when you fly out, but you won't be asked on the way in. i would not worry about it if i were you.