Bethlehem

Empty alleyway and two blue doors

Christmas is canceled in Bethlehem

Every year, thousands of tourists and Christian pilgrims flock to Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But this year, Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem and across the Middle East will be dramatically toned down.

Christmas is canceled in Bethlehem
People in athletic clothes warm up together on a sidewalk.

This Palestinian running group in Jerusalem fights for the ‘right to movement’ 

This Palestinian running group in Jerusalem fights for the ‘right to movement’ 
Two visitors are shown standing a one taking a cell phone photo of the Church of the Nativity with bright white light shining from the windows above.

Jesus’ Bethlehem birthplace gets a makeover. But will it boost tourism? 

Jesus’ Bethlehem birthplace gets a makeover. But will it boost tourism? 
An old building with large mechanical infrastructure now sports a sign reading "SteelStacks" and is a now an entertainment venue.

A Pennsylvania steel town reinvents itself with a future beyond steel

A Pennsylvania steel town reinvents itself with a future beyond steel
Animals are commonly found in nativity scenes, but surprisingly not in the Bible.

An ox, an ass … a dragon? Sorry, there were no animals in the Bible’s nativity scene.

An ox, an ass … a dragon? Sorry, there were no animals in the Bible’s nativity scene.
A worker prepares lights ahead of Christmas celebrations in the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Dec. 19, 2017.

Christmas in Bethlehem goes on in the shadow of Trump's Jerusalem announcement

As usual, Palestinians in the West Bank city of Bethlehem are hosting Christmas festivities for thousands of visitors to the site where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. But this year, US President Donald Trump's controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital has caused tensions and dampened the holiday mood.

Christmas in Bethlehem goes on in the shadow of Trump's Jerusalem announcement
Orthodox nationalist rabbis lead a protest against rumors that Israel will transfer the site of King David's tomb and Jesus' Last Supper to the Vatican.

Some Israeli Jews are not happy about the Pope's upcoming visit to the Holy Land

Pope Francis is heading for Israel. And he's got a lot on his to-do list. But he'll need to balance his sacred duties with the practical concerns over security. And a whole lot more.

Some Israeli Jews are not happy about the Pope's upcoming visit to the Holy Land

Runners honor Boston in first international marathon in Bethlehem

Over the weekend, runners gathered in Bethlehem to run the city's first-ever marathon. While the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian situation and the Boston Marathon attacks influenced the events, the races went off without any problems.

Runners honor Boston in first international marathon in Bethlehem

Runners at Bethlehem's First Marathon Honor Victims in Boston

The runners of the international marathon in Bethlehem showed support for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Runners at Bethlehem's First Marathon Honor Victims in Boston

On eve of Obama's visit, Palestinians press case for electing their own president

Palestinians haven't voted in a presidential election since 2006, frustrating many. A local TV producer decided to take that frustration and channel it into a reality TV series, just in time for President Barack Obama to come to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

On eve of Obama's visit, Palestinians press case for electing their own president

Bethlehem Murder Shocks Palestinians

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, women and human rights groups are demanding that Palestinian leaders do more to stop violence against women.

Bethlehem Murder Shocks Palestinians