Hadil Al-Shalchi
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It's been two years since the city where Christians believe Jesus was born held its traditional Christmas Scouts parade.
Young men and women playing the bagpipes and drums marched through the city.
Hundreds of people summoned their Sunday best crammed into Manger Square to watch the massive Bethlehem Christmas tree towering over them.
Asir Jahjah said that the celebrations came at a necessary time.
People need to release some of the pressure they felt, she said.
That pressure was from worry over what's happening to Palestinians during the war in Gaza.
Those in Bethlehem today said they will dare to allow themselves some hope this Christmas.
Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Bethlehem.
The most recent demolition of a residential building in East Jerusalem has left about 100 Palestinians homeless, according to the Palestinian Authority.
The Authority's Ministry of Jerusalem says there's been a sharp uptick in these demolitions, calling them forced displacement.
It says they are part of a policy to change Jerusalem's demographic to support Jewish settlement expansion.
Israeli authorities say that the homes are, quote, illegal due to a lack of Israeli-issued permits.
Rights groups say the Israeli planning and permit system is discriminatory because they limit where and how Palestinians can build in East Jerusalem.
Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
The most recent demolition of a residential building in East Jerusalem has left about 100 Palestinians homeless, according to the Palestinian Authority.
The Authority's Ministry of Jerusalem says there's been a sharp uptick in these demolitions, calling them forced displacement.
It says they are part of a policy to change Jerusalem's demographic to support Jewish settlement expansion.
Israeli authorities say that the homes are, quote, illegal due to a lack of Israeli-issued permits.
Rights groups say the Israeli planning and permit system is discriminatory because they limit where and how Palestinians can build in East Jerusalem.
Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.