Middle East Features

In photos: 'Bethlehem Christmas Eve'

By M&C News Dec 25, 2007, 1:04 GMT

Christian women light candles in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the city to secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian women light candles in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the city to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Nuns wait for the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah during Christmas celebrations on Manger square outside the Church of Nativity in the west Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers have packed the city to secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Nuns wait for the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah during Christmas celebrations on Manger square outside the Church of Nativity in the west Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers have packed the city to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian women light candles in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square during one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian women light candles in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square during one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

A monk pictured in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

A monk pictured in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Palestinian scouts take part in their traditional Christmas procession outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Palestinian scouts take part in their traditional Christmas procession outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Palestinian Christians, some wearing traditional costumes, gather during a procession outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during Christmas festivities in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Gloom was banished from Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the first time in years on Monday as Christian pilgrims from all over the world flocked here to celebrate Jesus birth in an atmosphere of renewed tranquility.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Palestinian Christians, some wearing traditional costumes, gather during a procession outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during Christmas festivities in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Gloom was banished from Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the first time in years on Monday as Christian pilgrims from all over the world flocked here to celebrate Jesus' birth in an atmosphere of renewed tranquility. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian Palestinians celebrate Christmas on Manger square in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square to secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian Palestinians celebrate Christmas on Manger square in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

A Christian boy with a Santa Claus balloon in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007.  Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square to secure one of the towns most important tourism events: Christmas.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

A Christian boy with a Santa Claus balloon in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) waves as he walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations. in the west Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007.  EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) waves as he walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations. in the west Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Cynthia Nixon marries

Cynthia Nixon marries
Cynthia Nixon married her long-term partner Christine Marinoni in New York yesterday (2y7.05.12), her publicist has confirmed. ... more

Justin Bieber accused of assault

Justin Bieber accused of assault
Justin Bieber has been accused of assaulting a photographer in California after a physical altercation allegedly broke out when the paparazzo attempted to take pictures of the singer and his girlfriend Selena Gomez. ... more

Britney Spears' fiance makes romantic video for her

Britney Spears fiance makes romantic video for her
Britney Spears' fiancee Jason Trawick made a gushing video to tell the singer how proud he is of her US 'X Factor' debut in Austin, Texas, last week. ... more

Gary Barlow is boring

Gary Barlow is boring
Gary Barlow says his family are pleased he has been working on the Diamond Jubilee concert and single - because it has given him something new to talk about. ... more

Demi Moore meets up with Ashton Kutcher

Demi Moore meets up with Ashton Kutcher
Estranged couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have reportedly met up with each other twice in the last month to discuss the future of their relationship. ... more

Kim Kardashian accuses British Airways of stealing?

Kim Kardashian accuses British Airways of stealing?
Kim Kardashian has accused British Airways of stealing from her baggage after a recent trip to the UK. ... more

Justin Bieber buys $6.5m home

Justin Bieber buys $6.5m home
Justin Bieber has splashed out $6.5 million on his very first home, a seven-bedroom mansion in the Californian suburb of Calabasas. ... more

will.i.am splashes out £15k on laptops for talented youngsters

will.i.am splashes out £15k on laptops for talented youngsters
Will.i.am spent £15,000 on computers for members of a youth music project in London after they impressed him with their talent. ... more

Rochelle Wiseman and Una Healy party on hen night

Rochelle Wiseman and Una Healy party on hen night
Rochelle Wiseman and Una Healy celebrated their forthcoming weddings to Marvin Humes and Ben Foden with a joint hen party on Saturday night (26.05.12). ... more

Justin Timberlake celebrates engagement to Jessica Biel

Justin Timberlake celebrates engagement to Jessica Biel
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel celebrated their engagement with a star-studded party at Estee Stanley's Californian home on Saturday (26.05.12). ... more