- Title: Christmas tree lit in Bethlehem
- Date: 30th November 2019
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (NOVEMBER 30, 2019) (REUTERS) PALESTINIAN PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMAD SHTAYYEH, WITH THE MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM ANTON SALMAN LIGHTING UP THE TREE CLOSE OF TREE AFTER IT WAS LIT BETHLEHEM'S CHRISTMAS TREE LIT IN THE MANGER SQUARE NEAR THE NATIVITY CHURCH PEOPLE GATHERING DURING THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING EVENT CHURCH OF NATIVITY NEAR THE CHRISTMAS TREE FATHER CARRYING HIS CHILD DURING LIGHTING CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JOELLE DAABOUL, 15-YEAR-OLD, SAYING: "I have a wonderful feeling, the tree is so beautiful. I encourage all children to come and see the tree. It's very beautiful. I work with the band 'Princess for children' and I encourage all kids to see the tree and feel festive. Merry Christmas." CHRISTMAS TREE AFTER BEING LIT CHILD AND MOTHER DURING FESTIVAL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MARLEINE DAABOUL, MUSICIAN, VISITOR, SAYING: "All the families should come with their children to Bethlehem to see the Christmas tree, which is wonderful and enjoy the Christmas because here is the real Jesus' birthplace. I encourage everyone. The atmosphere is gorgeous." VARIOUS OF FIREWORKS TO CELEBRATE LIGHTING BETHLEHEM'S CHRISTMAS TREE FIREWORKS OVER CHURCH OF NATIVITY VARIOUS OF FIREWORKS BEING FIRED AFTER THE LIGHTING OF THE TREE IN MANGER SQUARE
- Embargoed: 14th December 2019 19:37
- Keywords: Christmas Bethlehem West Bank christmas tree
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001B7QA4P3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: After night fell, the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree ceremony was underway as hundreds gathered at Manger Square to celebrate the start of holiday season on Saturday (November 30).
With a bright red star gleaming at its top, the giant tree was illuminated by hundreds of golden-white bulbs as fireworks lit up the night sky.
Bethlehem revered as the birthplace of Jesus attracts thousands of tourists and Christian pilgrims in the festive Christmas time and the city authorities make the lighting of the tree into one of the most memorable celebrations of the year.
Earlier on Saturday Bethlehem welcomed the Custodian of the Holy Land on his arrival in Bethlehem to mark the beginning of the festive season of Advent, when millions of Christians around the world start their preparations for Christmas.
Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is usually particularly busy ahead of Christmas on Dec. 25, with tourists and pilgrims flocking to the Biblical city. Christians make up around 1% of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
(Production: Mohammed Abu Ganeyeh, Mamoun Wazwaz , Roleen Tafakji) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
