Muslim Palestinians, pilgrims and tourists filled the streets of Bethlehem to participate in the Christmas Eve activities organized by the Bethlehem Municipality.

The Christmas decorations in Bethlehem, the huge turnout, as well as the marching bands and live performances in Nativity square, located in front of the Church of Nativity could have been more festive, if not for the Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement.

According to experts, the Bethlehem district has lost 87% of its lands to Israel"s apartheid wall, and the remaining 13% of Palestinian land is surrounded by the wall. Regardless of the apartheid wall, and various other Israeli violations and restrictions, thousands of Palestinians and tourists attended the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem.

Most observers agree that the celebration of Christmas by Palestinian Christians and Muslims together only attributes the historical relationship of unity in Palestine.

Despite the usual travel restrictions and despite the apartheid wall that surrounds this city, Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, Gaza, and other cities celebrated Christmas in the city.