When is Christmas

BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories: With a giant evergreen tree, colourful balloons in the streets and selfies in the Church of the Nativity, ...

"Things are much better now after the coronavirus pandemic," he said. "Christmas is the town's celebration, and we put in a lot of time and effort to prepare for it," Bethlehem mayor Hanna Hanania told AFP. BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories: With a giant evergreen tree, colourful balloons in the streets and selfies in the Church of the Nativity, Christmas tourism has returned to Bethlehem after two years of Covid-related restrictions.

Tourists flock to the occupied West Bank city to celebrate Christmas after pandemic restrictions were lifted.

“It’s possible to change things,” he added. “We are living in very difficult challenges,” he said. affects the celebrations,” Ibrahim said. “We will be very clear in what we have to do and what we have to say in order to preserve the importance of unity and reconciliation among all.” “But the message of Christmas is a message of peace.” With a giant evergreen tree, colourful balloons in the streets and selfies in the Church of the Nativity, Christmas tourism has returned to the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem after two years of COVID-related restrictions.

The biblical town of Bethlehem marked what was shaping up to be a merry Christmas on Saturday, with thousands of visitors expected to descend upon the ...

Mayor Vitali Klitschko has called it the "Tree of Invincibility." This year, visitors are back, hotels are full and local shopkeepers have reported a brisk business in the runup to the holiday. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, was expected to arrive from nearby Jerusalem to greet well-wishers.

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — The biblical town of Bethlehem marked a merry Christmas on Saturday, with thousands of visitors descending upon the traditional ...

“We are living in very difficult challenges,” he said, noting the war in Ukraine and a recent wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Instead, a modest tree decorated with blue and yellow lights barely broke the gloom of the square. In war-ravaged Ukraine, the glitzy lights normally spread over over Kyiv’s Sophia Square were missing due to restrictions and power cuts. Throughout the day, hundreds of people strolled through Manger Square for Christmas Eve celebrations. “It’s possible to change things,” he added. Although the numbers have not reached pre-pandemic levels, the return of tourists has palpably raised spirits in Bethlehem.

West Bank city gears up for festive season after two years of pandemic restrictions.

While the pandemic may have eased, 2022 has still been difficult here: this year has been the bloodiest in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Jerusalem and the West Bank in 17 years, with about 150 Palestinians and 30 Israelis killed. Tour guides working in several different languages patiently shepherded hundreds of foreigners through the church’s tiny entrance, explaining the many layers of religion and history inside. Business goes up and down with the political situation but we never had anything like the pandemic,” said Nabil Giacaman, a third-generation woodworker and owner of the Il Bambino arts and sculpture shop. As the daylight began to fade, festive lights glowed all over the city centre, and a band started up at a nearby restaurant. The predicted numbers for 2022 are almost on a par with 2019, when Bethlehem saw an all-time high of 150,000 visitors in the same time period, and 3 million visitors overall. Since the territories do not have an airport, most international visitors enter through Israel, crossing checkpoints in Israel’s West Bank wall that keeps the two holy cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem separate from one another despite the fact they’re only 6 miles (10km) apart.

The biblical town of Bethlehem is gearing up for what residents hope will be a merry Christmas, with thousands of visitors expected to descend upon the.

This year, visitors are back, hotels are full and local shopkeepers have reported a brisk business in the runup to the holiday. [thousands of visitors](https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/bethlehem-sees-surge-in-christmas-tourists-despite-israeli-palestinian-conflict/2936865/) expected to descend upon the traditional birthplace of [Jesus](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ancient-glue-offers-new-insight-age-what-may-be-jesus-n824421) as it rebounds from the [coronavirus pandemic](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/coronavirus). [occupied West Bank](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-west-bank-palestinians-deadliest-year-united-nations-report-rcna54643), and for the past two years, the pandemic kept international visitors away.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are reminded to keep the less fortunate, including those who are faced with hardships, sorrow and loneliness, in their though...

“May we all continue to preserve and enjoy the harmony, understanding and love between one another. “As a whole nation, we were truly shocked and saddened by the incident. “Thank you for making the sacrifice,” he said, while also reminded the Malaysians to extend their compassion and kindness to the less fortunate.

PETALING JAYA: While sending his Christmas wishes, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also hopes Malaysians will be able to get through ...

“At the same time, I also urge everyone, as Malaysians, to take some time to reflect on recent developments, such as the Batang Kali tragedy and floods on the east coast. Meanwhile, former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also sent his Christmas greetings to Malaysians from the Christian faith, regardless if they were in or out of the country. PETALING JAYA: While sending his Christmas wishes, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also hopes Malaysians will be able to get through the current floods and Batang Kali tragedy together.

The deputy prime minister says Malaysians should celebrate the nation's cultural diversity and religious variety.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the people to continue rejecting attempts by certain quarters to promote hatred and ...

PETALING JAYA: Doris Tan had been bracing for a wet Christmas as rain had been forecast, with the possibility of floods, but she was totally unprepared for ...

“I didn’t manage to store any water, but I could buy drinking water from the store. “We will go to my parents’ house in Ampang for Christmas Eve dinner - and stay there. “I have sent my children out to buy drinking water from supermarkets so we can finish cooking and celebrate Christmas,” she said. “My friends will also bring bottles of water, just to be on the safe side. She has already prepared the roast turkey and root vegetables to go with the Christmas feast but has yet to prepare the appetisers and desserts. PETALING JAYA: Doris Tan had been bracing for a wet Christmas as rain had been forecast, with the possibility of floods, but she was totally unprepared for a dry Yuletide, with no water from the tap.