Bethlehem faces gloomy Christmas

Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem are to restrict Christmas observances to religious ritual this year – the first time since 1994 that Jesus’ traditional birthplace is under Israeli occupation during the holiday.

Protesting at the troops’ presence, the Bethlehem municipality will not put up Christmas lights or decorate the Christmas tree in Manger Square, opposite the Church of the Nativity, said Mayor Hanna Nasser, a Palestinian Christian.