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Gaza Christians barred from visiting Bethlehem, Jerusalem on Christmas

Source: The Jerusalem Post

December 18, 2019

Israel in the past has defended its restrictions on Gazans traveling to the West Bank, saying many Palestinians from Gaza stay on illegally when granted short-term permits.

People celebrate during the annual lighting ceremony of a Christmas tree at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem (photo credit: REUTERS)

JERUSALEM/GAZA - Christians in the Gaza Strip will not be allowed to visit holy cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem to celebrate Christmas this year, Israeli authorities said on Thursday.

Gazan Christians will be granted permits to travel abroad but none will be allowed to go to Israel and the occupied West Bank, home to many sites holy to Christians, a spokeswoman for Israel's military liaison to the Palestinians said.

... Read the rest at The Jerusalem Post.

12/18/2019

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