Bethlehem cancels Christmas celebrations

BETHLEHEM — The municipality of Bethlehem has decided to cancel this year's Christmas celebrations amid the mini-war between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday, a Palestinian shot at Israeli soldiers guarding Rachel's Tomb, a Jewish holy site in Bethlehem. No one was injured but Rachel's Tomb has been the site of violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli troops in the city.

Over the past two months, seven Palestinians from the Bethlehem area have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops.

The escalating violence has caused a drastic drop in the numbers of pilgrims and tourists visiting the city, despite this year being the millennium. Israeli travel restrictions on tourists and non-Palestinians were tightened 10 days ago.

''Manger Square by this time should have been filled with tourists, guides and visitors. Now it is empty,'' said Tony Marcos, a spokesman for the municipality. ''Celebrations for Christmas have been cancelled. In view of the very bad situation we are living in, it doesn't make sense that we celebrate while there are still closures, and so many people have been killed."

Municipal officials are discussing whether the giant Norwegian Christmas tree that stands in Manger Square should be decorated with pictures of more than 200 Palestinians killed in fighting or left bare.

The cancelled plans included a Christmas craft fair and performances from international choirs in Manger Square on Christmas Eve as well as a series of musical concerts in December and January.