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Pilgrims Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem

   VOA News 24 December 2010
   Catholic  pilgrims pray at the entrance of the Grotto at the Church of
   Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of
   Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 Dec 2010

Photo: AP

   Catholic  pilgrims pray at the entrance of the Grotto at the Church of
   Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of
   Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 Dec 2010

   Tens  of thousands of Christians are gathering in Bethlehem Friday for
   Christmas celebrations.
   The West Bank city is the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
   Friday's  ceremonies  include  the annual procession to Manger Square,
   led by Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal.  He is the Roman Catholic Church's
   top  spiritual  leader  in  the Holy Land.  Later, the patriarch will
   lead midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity.
   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas travelled to Bethlehem Friday from
   his  Ramallah  headquarters.  Haaretz news says the Palestinian leader
   told Bethlehem pilgrims he hoped the coming year would bring security,
   stability and  "independence for the Palestinian people."
   Earlier  this  week,  Israel issued permits to allow 500 Christians in
   Hamas-ruled  Gaza  to  travel  to  Bethlehem.   Israel has restricted
   Palestinian travel from Gaza since Hamas militants seized power of the
   territory in 2007.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
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