Christmas in Bethlehem By Sheren Khalel and Abed Al Qaisi

Christmas in Bethlehem

By Sheren Khalel and Abed Al Qaisi

Over the weekend in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, men dressed as Santa Claus marched to the towering separation wall on a mission -- to bring candy and gifts to Jerusalem. As marchers reached the wall, they were blocked by fully armed Israeli soldiers who know well that cameras from agencies around the world were pointed at them. Eventually, Israeli forces retreated behind the wall, shooting tear gas at the Santas from concrete towers. "We knew this would happen," one of the Santas told Mondoweiss. "We didn't expect to be allowed through, but it's important we do something to show the world what's happening here while people are looking our city. This is Bethlehem, tear gas and soldiers and walls and occupation. This is the holy land."

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