- Title: Bethlehem’s residents light up Christmas tree with little comfort or joy
- Date: 5th December 2020
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 5, 2020) (REUTERS) CHRISTMAS TREE LIT UP IN BETHLEHEM/ FIREWORKS/ FEW PEOPLE GATHERING NEAR TREE FIREWORKS OVER MANGER SQUARE TO CELEBRATE LIGHTING UP THE TREE FIREWORKS IN THE SKY CHRISTMAS TREE LIT UP IN MANGER SQUARE, AS FEW PEOPLE ATTENDED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF BETHLEHEM, HUSSAM KHEIR, SAYING: "For sure this year's lighting the tree celebrations are not like before, this year not many people attended for sure because of the coronavirus pandemic. Bethlehem is sad in this festive season. We had hoped that this year would be a better one compared to others but unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a sad one." LIGHTS OVER AND AROUND CHURCH OF NATIVITY RED STAR GLEAMING AT THE TOP OF THE TREE PEOPLE TAKING PICTURES OF THE TREE BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 5, 2020) (REUTERS) (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF THE MANGER SQUARE WITH ONLY A FEW PEOPLE, AFTER THE TREE WAS LIT UP
- Embargoed: 19th December 2020 20:01
- Keywords: Christmas Palestinians West Bank tree
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001D7QC30N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A Christmas tree was lit up on Saturday (December 5) outside the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem's Manger Squares but due to coronavirus restriction, only a few people attended the traditional ceremony this year.
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.
Just twelve months ago, Bethlehem town, which Christians believe to be the birthplace of Jesus, was celebrating its busiest festive season, but now it's shaping up for a dismal Christmas.
All across Bethlehem, inns are closed, the shepherds are likely to be under lockdown, and restaurant tables are unoccupied - no tourists in sight.
Currently, the West Bank is under partial lockdown in a bid to minimise crowds for the festive season.
The total number of coronavirus infections reached 109,702 cases, including 905 deaths in the occupied territories, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
(Production: Roleen Tafakji/Mohammed Abu Ganeyeh/Ammar Awad) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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