- Title: WEST BANK-XMAS/PREPS Last minute Christmas preparations in Bethlehem
- Date: 23rd December 2014
- Summary: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 23, 2014) (REUTERS) PEOPLE GATHERING AT MANGER SQUARE, WHERE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS TREE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF BETHLEHEM, ISSA SALIBI, SAYING: "The tree and ornaments are beautiful here in the Manger Square, but the holiday doesn't have its normal celebrations due to the situation. The celebrations are limited, today is 23 of December and there is not an event in Manger Square." POLICE BLOCKS, AS PART OF PREPARATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS VARIOUS OF ORNAMENTS HANGED ON BUILDINGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM USA, GREG EVERETT, SAYING: "I like the Christmas tree, we're really excited to be here. Everything is really beautiful, the town really did a good job here in Manger Square with preparing and everything and so we are very excited to be here during this time of the year." STREET LIGHTING VIEW OF STREET
- Embargoed: 7th January 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: West bank
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA7MI1UVRYB0VALTNI31K0DEH6A
- Story Text: The town of Bethlehem, revered as Jesus' birth place, made last minute preparations on Tuesday (December 23) for Christmas.
The town's streets were decorated, while thousands of pilgrims and tourists gathered near the Church of the Nativity.
Trade in the biblical birthplace of Jesus was devastated in 2000 when a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation began just months after a papal visit and millennium celebrations that had appeared to ensure a secure future for Bethlehem as a tourist attraction.
But the violence has fallen in recent years and more than two million people now visit Bethlehem every year, even if there are still some disappointments.
"The tree and ornaments are beautiful here in Manger Square, but the holiday doesn't not have it's celebrations method due to the situation. The celebrations are limited, today is 23 of December and there is not an event in the manger square," Resident of Bethlehem, Issa Salibi, said.
"I like the Christmas tree, we're really excited to be here. Everything is really beautiful, the town really did a good job here in Manger square with preparing and everything and so we are very excited to be here during this time of the year," said tourist from USA, Greg Everett. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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