Bethlehem

Israel using armed militias to ethnically cleanse the West Bank - opinion

B’Tselem warns that organized, state-backed settler militias are driving Palestinians from their land with violent attacks across the West Bank.

|ByYAIR DVIR
Armed Israeli soldiers, settlers, Palestinians, and reporters watch smoke rise during West Bank clashes in November 2025.
People attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the New Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, on December 14, 2025.

Tis the season to flog Israel - opinion

Western media blame Israel for the decline in Christianity, ignoring the real threat, which is radical Islamic persecution.

|ByDAVID M. WEINBERG
New York City's Times Square billboard sponsored by the American Arab Discrimination Committee, claiming that Jesus is Palestinian, December 25, 2025.

Sponsored Times Square billboard claims 'Jesus is Palestinian,' wishes a 'Merry Christmas'

Climate activist Greta Thunberg and social justice nonprofit Slow Factory also declared in a collaborative social media post on Wednesday that "Jesus was a Palestinian born under occupation."

|ByMICHAEL STARR
People gather next to the Christmas tree at Manger Square on the day of Christmas events with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, on Christmas Eve, in the Old City of Bethlehem, December 24, 2025.

Israeli authorities prevented PA VP from attending Christmas Eve mass in Bethlehem - report

Israeli authorities prevent PA Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh from attending Bethlehem's Christmas Eve mass, the Palestinian Authority-run WAFA claimed, as celebrations resume after two years.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Jerusalem Santa sends Christmas greetings from hot air balloon over city

Jerusalem's local Santa Claus, Issa Kassissieh, does this annually at places across Israel.

DECEMBER 21, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Jerusalem Santa Claus Issa Kassissieh flies above Jerusalem in a hot air balloon ahead of Christmas.

Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem fight PA over Christmas festivities

Christian residents of Bethlehem have accused the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah of attempting to “hijack” their holidays and marginalize the city’s role.

NOVEMBER 22, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
A Palestinian dressed as Santa gestures during a celebration in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, December 2, 2021. Picture taken December 2, 2021.

Christian leaders condemn attack on church near Bethlehem

Archbishop Atallah Hanna of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem strongly condemned the assault, dubbing it an “unprecedented phenomenon.”

OCTOBER 29, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Shepherds Fields Beit Sahour

Bethlehem gunmen attack hotel for displaying Star of David, menorah

The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced it has closed the meeting hall and launched an investigation.

OCTOBER 10, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Elias al-Arja, an owner of the Bethlehem Hotel, said he does not expect business to significantly return to the city until next Christmas season.

Why did US President Joe Biden visit Bethlehem in Israel?

US President Joe Biden’s visit to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, took place in between his meetings with Abbas and MBS – with little fanfare.

JULY 22, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
US President Joe Biden visits the Church of Nativity, in Bethlehem, in the West Bank July 15, 2022.

Bethlehem's Palestinians expect nothing from Biden, say it's humiliating

In Bethlehem, two shopkeepers, a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces, a local Fatah activist and a cab driver express a range of hope, cynicism and disappointment in Biden's visit.

JULY 13, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
A Palestinian at Manger Square, Bethlehem on July 13, 2022

Palestinian man steals M-16 from Israeli security, turns himself in to PA

21 Palestinian terror suspects arrested overnight

JUNE 8, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli security forces conducting an arrest raid in the West Bank, June 8, 2022.

Two Palestinians arrested in IDF 'Break the Wave' raid of West Bank

Israeli security forces, Palestinians clash in West Bank village on Friday night • Israel arrests four Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast

JUNE 4, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces during a protest in the village of Beit Dajan, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on June 3, 2022

Clashes break out between Palestinians, Israeli forces in W. Bank

Border Policeman lightly injured from explosive device thrown at him • Palestinians, Israeli security forces clash

MAY 29, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF soldiers work to arrest Palestinians as part of Operation Break the Wave

Bethlehem pins economic hopes on resumption of tourism for Easter

Palestinians also hoping for visitors to revive ailing industry.

APRIL 13, 2022ByALL ARAB NEWS STAFF
Father Rami Asakriyah sprinkles holy water on palm fronds during the Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, April 10, 2022.