“We have never seen Bethlehem like this ... as fellow clerics mouth prayers in the background. Usually, just before Christmas, the central square in the occupied West Bank should be crowned ...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — The biblical town of Bethlehem marked what was shaping up to be a merry Christmas on Saturday, with thousands of visitors expected to descend upon the traditional ...

For the second straight year, Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations will be somber and muted, in deference to ongoing war in Gaza. There will be no giant Christmas tree in Manger Square, no raucous ...

For the second straight year, Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations will be somber and muted, in deference to ongoing war in Gaza. There will be no giant Christmas tree in Manger Square ...

Following the municipality's decision to suspend Christmas events and remove decorations, workers are busy dismantling the light canopy on Manger Square in Bethlehem. Credit: Marinella Bandini ...

(Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Ima He said he always comes to Bethlehem to mark Christmas, but this year was especially sobering, as he gazed at a nativity scene in Manger Square with a baby Jesus ...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem prepared Tuesday to mark another somber Christmas in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The excitement and cheer that ...

Bethlehem, Dec. 24 (BNA): Bethlehem ... joy and celebrations that normally fill the Palestinian city during Christmas. The large lights and decorations that typically adorn Manger Square were absent, ...

BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories – On Bethlehem’s Manger Square, Christmas decorations and pilgrims are notably absent for a second wartime festive season in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city.

Traditionally in Bethlehem, a grand Christmas tree would light up Manger Square, but local authorities opted against elaborate celebrations for a second year. “This year we limited our joy ...

Bethlehem prepared ... town in the occupied West Bank on Christmas were nowhere to be found: The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing.