Israeli-Palestinian violence clouds Christmas in Bethlehem

The violence preceded another attack on troops Thursday when four Palestinians were killed in the West Bank as Bethlehem filled with tourists celebrating the birth of Christ.

Before the celebrations began, Israeli authorities said three Palestinians involved in attacks against Israelis were killed in violence across the West Bank.

Since the beginning of October 2015, more than 130 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli Occupation Forces, and thousands injured.

They listened to holiday music played by marching bands and scout troops.

The Christian Palestinian population dwindled significantly over the past years. And every year, thousands and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to celebrate there.

Most of those who came to Manger Square were Arab Christians from Bethlehem, other parts of the West Bank or Israel.

The impact can be seen at a toy shop in Beit Sahour, a neighbouring village. “We are being suffocated by this confiscation”, she said. The video purported to show a wedding attended by Jewish radicals last week, where revelers stabbed pictures of a Palestinian toddler killed in an arson attack earlier this year, danced with rifles belonging to the Israeli military and in one case, held a mock firebomb in the air.

In Bethlehem, Twal wished “peace and love” for all.

Christian pilgrims pray inside the Grotto of the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.

In his homily, Twal expressed sympathy for the plight of Palestinians, Syrian refugees and “victims of all forms of terrorism everywhere”, according to a transcript issued by his office.

“It’s my first time in the Holy Land”, said the 30-year-old from Toronto.

Mrs Baboun’s office looks out over Bethlehem’s vast Christmas tree, which dominates the city’s main square and is decorated in the red, black and green – national colours.

He said that everyone should allow the simplicity of the child Jesus, born into poverty in a manger despite his divinity, to infuse their spirit and inspire their lives.

Taking security arrangements into consideration, Father Ibrahim Faltas, General Administrator of the Custody of the Holy Land, encouraged Christians around the world to visit Bethlehem dismissing any security concerns.

This year, her tree looks like any of the millions of others going up at Christmas time around the world.