Bethlehem marked a cautious return of Christmas celebrations after two years of the Gaza war, with residents and businesses hoping for economic revival. While tourism remains low and West Bank tensions persist, locals say the festivities signal a fragile...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank — For the last two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: closed and eerily empty. But on Saturday evening, it bustled with families and was illuminated by strings of red...

<a href='https://ads.independent.com.mt/www/delivery/ck.php?n=afef72b0&cb=23' target='_blank'><img data-src='https://ads.independent.com.mt/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=22&cb=23&n=afef72b0' border='0' alt='' /></a> For the past two...

For the past two Christmases, John Juka's family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily empty. But on Saturday evening, it bustled with families and was lit by strings of red lights, a hopeful change in the...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily empty. But on Saturday evening, it bustled with families and was lit by strings of red...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. For the past two Christmases, John Juka’s family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily...

Palestinians take part in a Christmas tree–lighting event in Manger Square, next to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Jesus Christ ahead of Christmas in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP...