Bethlehem

West Bank

Bethlehem rebounds from pandemic, lifting Christmas spirits

Tourism is the economic lifeblood of the town in the occupied West Bank, and for the past two years the pandemic kept international visitors away.

24/12/2022

World News

People mark Christmas season with nativity scenes and lights

From Christmas trees at the Vatican to nativity scenes in Bethlehem, holidaymakers are starting to celebrate the Christmas season.

03/12/2022

West Bank

Bethlehem Christians celebrate Christmas at Church of the Nativity

Hundreds attended the service led by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land.

25/12/2021

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Famed Manger Square Christmas tree lit up

The West Bank city of Bethlehem marked the start of the festive season Saturday by lighting up its Christmas tree in Manger Square.

05/12/2021

No Comment

Cardinal blessing of the Animals Rockettes

The Archbishop of New York kicked off the holiday season Tuesday by blessing the animals that will be featured in the Radio City Music Hall's live Nativity scene

02/11/2021

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Palestinian scout bands parade during celebrations for Orthodox Christ

Palestinian scout bands outside and christian worshippers inside the Church of the Nativity celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.

06/01/2021

World News

Christmas in times of coronavirus, from Bethlehem to Rome

From Bethlehem to Rome and beyond, coronavirus restrictions dampened Christmas Eve celebrations on Thursday.

25/12/2020

West Bank

Sacred rite for Orthodox Christians in Bethlehem marred by coronavirus

One of the most sacred Easter symbols of the Christian Orthodox faith - the Holy Fire - arrived in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday.

18/04/2020

West Bank

Watch: Christians celebrate midnight mass in Bethlehem

"Celebrating Christmas also means celebrating those who still have a desire to love mankind and put themselves on the line for it. Here in the Holy Land, and not only today but every day of the year, there are still many people who celebrate the Christmas of Jesus in this way, not only Christians.

24/12/2019

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Artist Banksy unveils dark nativity in Bethlehem

Banksy has made his own contribution to Christmas.

21/12/2019

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Palestinians protest amid controversial workshop on Middle East peace

Hundreds of Palestinian protesters in various West Bank locations on Tuesday rallied against this week's economic conference in Bahrain that will kick off the Trump administration's plan for peace in the Middle East.

25/06/2019

West Bank

Bethlehem enjoys busiest Christmas season on record

Visitors and worshippers have been flocking to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity – a cave which enshrines a site thought to be the birthplace of Jesus.

24/12/2018

West Bank

Christmas Eve Mass: Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity hosts pilgrims

Fewer people than usual were in the West Bank town this year because of increased tensions between Palestinians and the Israeli army since US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

25/12/2017

World News

Christians mark Christmas in the Middle East and in other parts of the

Christian communities gather to celebrate the build up to Christmas.

24/12/2017

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Trump wall images lighten the mood in Bethlehem

04/08/2017

Israel

Room at the Inn: Banksy's Walled Off Hotel welcomes its first guests

When is a hotel opening simultaneously a political statement and a work of art?

20/03/2017