Israelis and Palestinians Grapple With Slumping Tourism After Almost 7 Months of War themedialine.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from themedialine.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Since the Palestinian Authority took control of Bethlehem in 1995, the Christian population has massively declined. Today, only around 10,000 Christians live in the city of about 75,500 residents.
The Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, founded by the street artist to criticize Israel’s violence against Palestinians, is temporarily closing as Israeli attacks in the region continue.
Israel's Gaza war and West Bank raids have stolen Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations this year. The little hill town where Jesus was born in a stable 2,000 years ago has grown dark this season. The Bethlehem municipality and the Jordan Council of Churches announced the decision to mark the season solely with religious services.