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Christians from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas. The festivities were marked with marching Palestinian bands, concerts and the coming of the Latin Patriarch, a yearly ritual where he makes his pilgrimage from Jerusalem al Quds to Bethlehem to conduct prayers in the Church of Nativity. However the Palestinian Minister of Tourism Rula Ma\\\'ay\\\'a explained to me that although thousands of Christians are coming from around the world to Bethlehem for Christmas, there are serious challenges for people living in Gaza, as Israel often banned them from entering Bethlehem.

[23 Apr 2014] Israeli troops shower Bethlehem village with tear gas - English

[09 Dec 2012] Israeli soldiers break into Palestinian houses in Bethlehem - English

[16 Dec 2012] Israel to build separation wall in South of Bethlehem - English

[21 April 2013] Palestine first marathon kick off in Bethlehem - English

[27 Mar 2014] Clashes continue between Israeli forces, Palestinians at Bethlehem camp - English

[12 Oct 2014] Israeli forces seize about 80 Dunums of Palestinian lands in Bethlehem - English

[12 Oct 2014] Israeli forces seize about 80 Dunums of Palestinian lands in Bethlehem - English

Comment - What is Israel doing in Bethlehem and beyond?

A short film made by Images for life project with Al-Rowwad center in Aida refugee camp Palestine.

Eleven years has passed since the end of Israeli siege on the ccurch of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The 39-day siege was ended after a deal between the Palestinian Authority and Israel to deport 39 Palestinians. Twenty-six Palestinians were deported to Gaza Strip and thirteen others were deported to European countries. Today, the deportees in Gaza have reiterated their call for return. They also call for an investigation into the deportation deal.

The mayor of Bethlehem says Israeli tour operators are controlling the influx of travelers into the historical city over the Christmas period. This, the mayor says, is hurting the Palestinian economy.

A demonstration was held in the village of Al Walaja, Bethlehem, against Israel\'s plans to build a wall that will encircle the village and isolate the residents from Bethlehem. When the wall is complete, there will be one entrance into the village where 500 people reside, that will be guarded by Israeli soldiers. The entrance will isolate the villagers from the nearby village of Beit Jala and the centre of Bethlehem. The protesters marched towards the gate where they were met with Israeli soldiers who forbade them from passing. The Israeli soldiers then attacked the protesters using sound grenade and tear gas. They then sprayed one protester directly in the eyes with pepper spray. Munder continued to explain how this would personally affect the residents of Al Walaje village. This is the third gate that has been erected in the village, two of which have been closed by the Israeli army. On Wednesday, the al Walaja village council stated that the new gate would cause serious issues as the road us used regularly by the residents and it will block them from farming their agricultural land nearby. It will furthermore prevent school children from accessing their local school in Beit Jala. The villagers and Popular committee have called upon international human rights groups to take immediate action to remove the Israeli gate. As you can see this gate behind us is now isolating the villagers of al Walaja from Bethlehem and they are now planning on building a wall that will completely encircle al Walaja village separating and isolating them inside.

[19 June 2012] Israeli citizen gives up citizenship - English 24 year old Andrey Pshenichnikov is in the French capital with a purpose that goes beyond tourism. This is his passport, the one he wants to renounce. In the past, some Israelis have managed to get their citizenship revoked, but there are no known cases of these Israelis applying for Palestinian residency or a Palestinian passport. Born in Tajikistan before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Andrey Pshenichnikov's parents moved to Russia in search of a better life. And then the family moved to Israel. It took only a little while before he discovered the darker side of his new country. This experience influenced his years as a soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces. Instead, Andrey Pshenichnikov lived and worked at the Deheishe Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, first in hotels and then in construction. He is also open to the idea of settling down in Gaza. Andrey Pshenichnikov says Israeli authorities have black listed him as a terrorist. And he believes, it's easier to give up his citizenship when he's out of Israel. He hopes, his decision will set an example and inspire others to follow. The process to renounce his citizenship could be a lengthy one, one that Andrey Pshenichnikov says he is willing to face.

[05 Jan 2013] Israel settlers attack Palestinian village in West Bank - English

[15 Mar 2013] Israeli Apartheid Week held in 215 cities throughout the world - English

Israel has approved 69 new settlements in East Jerusalem al Quds. The new plan seeks to expand the Har Homar Israeli settlement. However, Palestinian activist Daoud Hamoude says the move is part of a bigger plan to annex all settlements from the North of the West Bank to the E1 area in Bethlehem, ultimately turning the West Bank into a string of Palestinian ghettos. Jamal Jumaa of the Stop the Wall also told Press TV that Tel Aviv has no interest in peace talks and will not cease settlement activities under any conditions. The Palestinian activist also says he has serious doubts about the future of talks between the Palestinian Authority and Tel Aviv. Nel Burden, Press TV, al-Quds

Nearly a dozen Palestinians have been abducted by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. A Palestinian journalist and a lawmaker are among those who were assaulted and then detained. The latest Israeli raid also caused the death of a 19-year-old boy. Human rights groups say there has been a surge in violence by Israeli forces against Palestinian protesters and the Palestinian media recording Israel\'s violations. Attacks are escalating against Palestinians with one brutal murder and over 11 arrests this week. Although the Israeli army state that the circumstances of these arrests are for legitimate reasons, they are rarely held accountable or made to show evidence for these crimes. Nel Burden, Press TV, Bethlehem

Villagers in Wadi Fukin near Bethlehem were attacked by Israeli settlers from a nearby settlement, when they intentionally poured thousands of tons of sewage into the only natural water spring and the land.

The family of a Palestinian man killed by israeli soldiers has been forced to cancel his funeral, after Israel refused to hand over his body. The Israeli army says its soldiers opened fire on Yusef after he drove into their base to attack them. However, his family says that the Israeli army prevented him from entering through the checkpoint on his way home from work. Yusef had become frustrated and drove through, where he was shot and killed. Yusef\'s father also said, when he arrived home in the evening, the Israeli army had raided his home and arrested three of his brothers who were released later. This is the second tragic incident for the family, as their other son had been murdered in a similar way just three years ago. Other relatives of Yusef also told us how Israel failed to meet its promise to hand over the body of the slain man. The Israelis have refused to hand over the body of Yousef, even after their family was waiting for hours to receive it. And this forced them to cancel the funeral for him, which was due to take place in Abudiyeh village in Bethlehem.

The Israeli high court has held its first session to determine the fate of two Palestinian villages which Israeli wants to divide and annex behind a controversial wall. The proposed wall which has already sparked an international outcry will cut directly through the villages of Battir and Cremisan, isolating villagers from their rich agricultural lands. One of the villages to be most adversely affected is Battir, where the wall will cut through and destroy ancient Roman terraces, a castle, and a Roman irrigation system which the villagers still use to irrigate their crops. Christians from the village of Cremisan have been demonstrating on a weekly basis in the \'Tent of Nations\' which has attracted international support. Villagers here claim that the Israeli is trying to grab the lands that belong to 58 families. The Bethlehem municipality filed the petition in the high court. Israeli claims the separation wall will be built for the so-called security reasons. However, the Palestinians call is yet another excuse to seize their lands. Following years of petitioning to keep their land and agricultural resources intact, residents of Battir and Cremisan say they would wait for the court\'s decision. However, they pledge to keep fighting for their rights and say that even IF the ruling is not in their favor they will continue to pressurize Israel through international petitions.

Tel Aviv returns the remains of a young Palestinian woman who died during the second Intifada or uprising against the Israeli occupation 12 years ago. Palestinians in the West Bank town of Bethlehem were jubilant as an ambulance carrying the remains of Ayat al-Akhras arrived. The family is expected to bury the 18-year-old\\\'s remains on Monday. Akhras was killed in 2002 at the height of the second Palestinian Intifada. She died after she detonated an explosive belt in West Jerusalem al-Quds killing two Israelis. The remains of over 280 Palestinians killed in confrontations with Israeli forces are still held in Israel. Tel Aviv has agreed to return the remains of 36 Palestinians but has only released six bodies so far.

[28th July 2016] Israelis arrest 16 Palestinians in overnight raids in West Bank | Press TV English