- Title: Drone view of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve
- Date: 24th December 2020
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 24, 2020) (REUTERS) (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF DOOR TO CHURCH OF NATIVITY (AUDIO: MUTE) VARIOUS OF THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY VARIOUS OF THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY FROM ABOVE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY VIEW OF CHURCH OF NATIVITY AND MANGER SQUARE, CHRISTMAS TREE IN MANGER SQUARE SHOWING CHRISTMAS TREE IN EMPTY MANGER SQUARE CHURCH OF NATIVITY FROM ABOVE, ENTRANCE TO CHURCH, EMPTY MANGER SQUARE NATIVITY SCENE SET UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN MANGER SQUARE CHRISTMAS TREE IN EMPTY MANGER SQUARE DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWING ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY AND EMPTY MANGER SQUARE, ED NOTE: 'audio of bells has been added to footage from separate recording'
- Embargoed: 7th January 2021 06:30
- Keywords: Bethlehem COVID-19 Christmas Eve Jesus' birth place Manger Square Nativity Church coronavirus drone
- Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- City: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001DAD8VUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: ED NOTE: 'AUDIO OF BELLS HAS BEEN ADDED TO FOOTAGE FROM SEPARATE RECORDING'
Drone view on Thursday (December 24) showed Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, waking up to a less festive and near- deserted Christmas.
Just 12 months ago, the Palestinian town was celebrating its busiest festive season for two decades, amid a sustained drop in violence and a corresponding surge in the number of pilgrims and tourists. But now, hotels that were adding new wings in 2019 are shuttered because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, town leaders say it will go ahead with its celebrations, aware that the world's eyes are upon it at this time of year.
The newly-appointed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who himself contracted the virus and recovered, will lead the celebrations which will take place under COVID-19 restrictions and rules.
(Production: Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh, Yosri al Jamal, Lee Marzel) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None