In the early 1950s, he headed the local branch of the Holy Land Mission, an American Presbyterian-backed charity.

As the owner of a string of shops selling olivewood and mother-of-pearl souvenirs, he was appointed to Bethlehem town council under Jordanian rule in 1960.

Israel then banned all further municipal elections and Freij remained in office until he stepped down on health grounds in May 1997.

He was the only elected Palestinian mayor not deposed by the Israeli military authorities for pro-Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leanings.

Freij was an influential local figure, becoming Chairman of Bethlehem University's Board of Trustees and President of the Chamber of Commerce.