The West Bank city of Bethlehem—identified in the Bible as the birthplace of Jesus—held muted Christmas celebrations on Monday amid the war between Israel and Hamas. Christian worshipers pray ...

This Christmas, many of us in Bethlehem just want to stay home, spend time with our families and feel safe. I think of Mary and Joseph in search of a safe place and being turned away, time and again.

Exacerbated by the war in Gaza, the decision to cancel the Christmas festivities this year will have a profound impact on Bethlehem’s economy, which is 90% dependent on tourism.

World News On Christmas Eve, Bethlehem resembles a ghost town. Celebrations are halted due to Israel-Hamas war. People walk by the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the ...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank -- The typically bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town Sunday after Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank — The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Sunday, as Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war.

The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem's income — almost all of that during the Christmas season.