The little town of Bethlehem has cancelled Christmas celebrations for a second ... according to the Palestinian tourism ministry. Shops selling mother-o’-pearl jewellery and olive-wood ...

On Christmas Eve 2024, Bethlehem’s usually vibrant streets were uncharacteristically subdued. The checkpoint from east Jerusalem was almost empty, and those arriving by car found few shops open.

Bethlehem, usually bustling with pilgrims on Christmas Eve, is quieter this year amid the conflicts in the Middle East. The streets are nearly empty and many shops are closed. Imtiaz Tyab reports.

But as Bethlehem prepares to mark its second Christmas under the shadow of the war in Gaza, there are almost no tourists, leaving the Nativity Store and other businesses unsure of how much longer ...