CHRISTMAS OF TENSIONS

A Palestinian marching band takes part in a Christmas parade outside the Church
 of the Nativity in Bethlehem, December 2017. (AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS)

HOLY LAND

TENSIONS cast pall over Xmas : Dozens of groups cancel visits after Trump's Jerusalem announcement, says archbishop.

BETHLEHEM .
 
JERUSALEM : Preparations for Christmas were under way here yesterday, despite simmering tensions in the city and the region following Washington's decision to recognise Jerusalem  as Israel's capital.

The controversial Dec 6 announcement by  United States President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in this Israeli occupied West Bank city, where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass.

BETHLEHEM is normally flooded by tourists at this time of year, but has, at times, appeared almost empty of visitors as clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli army keep people away.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said dozen of groups had pulled out of planned visits after being scared off by the announcement and subsequent violence.

''Of course, this created a tension around Jerusalem and diverted attention from Christmas,'' he said of Trump's announcement, but stressed that Christmas celebrations would  go ahead as planned.     

Some 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two per cent of the predominantly population of the West bank and east Jerusalem.

Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

In a statement ahead of Christmas, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said Trump's announcement :

''Encouraged the illegal disconnection between the  holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, both separated for the first time in over 2,000 years of Christianity.''