LBCI

Crowds gather in Bethlehem for Christmas

World News

24-12-2013 | 08:56

Share

Share

Crowds gather in Bethlehem for Christmas

Large crowds have begun to gather in the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations.

Hundreds of tourists packed the town's Manger Square to enjoy the cool, sunny weather ahead of celebrations on Tuesday evening. The nearby Church of the Nativity sits on the spot where tradition says Jesus was born.

The number of visitors remains below the levels of the late 1990s, when Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts were at their height. Following the outbreak of a Palestinian uprising in 2000, the numbers plunged.

But thanks to a period of relative calm, they have been steadily climbing in recent years and are expected to get an extra push this year thanks to the resumption of peace talks.

Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah says the Palestinians "deserve to have peace."

AP

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

European airlines continue to avoid Iran and Iraq despite airspace reopening

2026-01-15

European airlines continue to avoid Iran and Iraq despite airspace reopening

Netanyahu tells US envoy Palestinian Authority won't be part of post-war Gaza governance

Israel-Gaza War Updates

2026-02-03

Netanyahu tells US envoy Palestinian Authority won't be part of post-war Gaza governance

Diverging narratives surround Lebanon’s handling of Hezbollah-linked financial activity

News Bulletin Reports

2026-05-21

Diverging narratives surround Lebanon’s handling of Hezbollah-linked financial activity

Israeli strike hits the southern suburbs of Beirut

2026-03-12

Israeli strike hits the southern suburbs of Beirut

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

1

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

Hezbollah blames Netanyahu for escalation after strikes kill 11 in south Lebanon

2

Hezbollah blames Netanyahu for escalation after strikes kill 11 in south Lebanon

Israel says Lebanon strikes a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violation

3

Israel says Lebanon strikes a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violation

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

4

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

5

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

6

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

Speaker Berri: Israel disregards agreements as attacks in southern Lebanon continue

7

Speaker Berri: Israel disregards agreements as attacks in southern Lebanon continue

Israel says Lebanon strike targeted Hezbollah commander

8

Israel says Lebanon strike targeted Hezbollah commander

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More