Tense Christmas in Bethlehem

With Israeli troops in the shadows, the town known as the traditional birthplace of Jesus marked a dreary Christmas Eve – with no light-filled tree in Manger Square, no bells or music, and few pilgrims.

This year is the first since 1994 that Bethlehem is under Israeli occupation during the holiday – although troops withdrew to the outskirts – and locals said they could not recall a sadder Christmas. After more than two years of Israeli-Palestinian violence, “there is no joy in people’s hearts”, said Raed Zarrouk, 26.