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Bethlehem celebrates Christmas Christmas is marked in Bethlehem
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of Christian pilgrims are gathering in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, to mark the anniversary of his birth. Thousands of Christian pilgrims have gathered in Bethlehem, to celebrate Christmas in the place where the Bible says Jesus Christ was born.
Festivities began with a traditional boy scout band and will culminate with midnight mass in St Catherine's Church, next to the Church of the Nativity. Festivities began with a traditional boy scout band before a midnight mass celebration in St Catherine's Church, next to the Church of the Nativity.
The top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land led the annual procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.The top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land led the annual procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
Latin Patriarch Foud Twal said the region sought peace above all else.Latin Patriarch Foud Twal said the region sought peace above all else.
"The wish that we most want, we most hope for, is not coming. We want peace," he said after he and his convoy of cars entered the Palestinian territory, having passed through Israel's heavily-guarded separation barrier."The wish that we most want, we most hope for, is not coming. We want peace," he said after he and his convoy of cars entered the Palestinian territory, having passed through Israel's heavily-guarded separation barrier.
"We don't have a shortage of food, we don't need aid," he said, according to the Associated Press."We don't have a shortage of food, we don't need aid," he said, according to the Associated Press.
"We want freedom of movement, we don't want walls. We don't want separation fences," he added."We want freedom of movement, we don't want walls. We don't want separation fences," he added.
Christmas capitalChristmas capital
It was a feeling echoed by the city's mayor, Victor Batarseh.It was a feeling echoed by the city's mayor, Victor Batarseh.
"We are prepared to welcome Christmas with lights, decorations and joy, but this little town of love and peace, the capital of Christmas, lacks the desired peace it deserves," he said."We are prepared to welcome Christmas with lights, decorations and joy, but this little town of love and peace, the capital of Christmas, lacks the desired peace it deserves," he said.
The midnight mass will take place next to the church built over the stall where Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus. Latin Patriarch Foud Twal said the region wanted peace above all
The midnight mass is taking place next to the church built over the stall where Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus.
Some 300 Christians over the age of 35 from the Gaza Strip were given permission by the Israeli military to leave the territory and come to Bethlehem for 24 hours to celebrate Christmas.Some 300 Christians over the age of 35 from the Gaza Strip were given permission by the Israeli military to leave the territory and come to Bethlehem for 24 hours to celebrate Christmas.
A total of 15,000 tourists are expected in the town during this period, in a year that has seen a record number of visitors - some 1.6 million.A total of 15,000 tourists are expected in the town during this period, in a year that has seen a record number of visitors - some 1.6 million.
One of the tourists who had crossed the planet to spend Christmas in Bethlehem was 27-year-old Juan Cruz, of Mexico.One of the tourists who had crossed the planet to spend Christmas in Bethlehem was 27-year-old Juan Cruz, of Mexico.
"This is the place where God gave us his son, so it is very special for me to be here, for me and my whole community," he told AFP news agency."This is the place where God gave us his son, so it is very special for me to be here, for me and my whole community," he told AFP news agency.
Yet the tourism boom has failed to bring money with it as most of the tourists visit the town just for the day, staying in hotels in Israel.Yet the tourism boom has failed to bring money with it as most of the tourists visit the town just for the day, staying in hotels in Israel.
"Only 5% of the money stays on the Palestinian side," Palestinian Tourism Minister Khulud Duaibess said."Only 5% of the money stays on the Palestinian side," Palestinian Tourism Minister Khulud Duaibess said.