Bethlehem lights up for Christmas

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered for the lighting ceremony.

A marching band performs during an event at the Church of the Nativity as the preparations for Christmas continues in Bethlehem, West Bank on November 26 2016 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu]

Custodian of the Holy Land Friar Francesco Patton (C) attends an event at the Church of the Nativity as the preparations for Christmas continues in Bethlehem, West Bank on November 26 2016 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu]

A marching band performs during an event at the Church of the Nativity as the preparations for Christmas continues in Bethlehem, West Bank on November 26 2016 [Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu]

Occupied Bethlehem lit up its Christmas tree in Manger Square on Saturday as the countdown to Christmas began.

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered for the lighting ceremony which was followed by a fireworks display.

The Mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Baboun, lit up the 15-metre high tree outside the Church of the Nativity in the presence of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.

“The message of Bethlehem is specifically in this year that we have the solidarity, we urge all the people through our message, that we need that solidarity because we only need on this Christmas- justice,” said Baboun.

The city, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, will host hundreds of pilgrims over the festive season.

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