Israel disrupts Palestinian Vice President’s visit to Bethlehem for Christmas
Christmas in the Old City of Bethlehem, December 24, 2025. Vice President of the Palestinian Authority Hussein al-Sheikh. Photo: Jpost
On December 24, 2025, Israeli authorities did not allow the Vice President of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein al-Sheikh, to arrive in Bethlehem to participate in the Christmas service at the Church of the Nativity, reports the Palestinian agency WAFA.
According to the agency, Israeli authorities blocked al-Sheikh's motorcade from entering the city, thereby disrupting his participation in the festive service.
It is noted that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent al-Sheikh to Bethlehem as his official representative to represent him at the Christmas events.
WAFA also emphasized that Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem resumed this year after a two-year break.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Bethlehem authorities urged pilgrims to visit Palestine for Christmas.
Read also
Romanian Church Added the "Burning Bush" Icon to the Church Calendar
The Holy Synod established September 4 as the date of the annual celebration of the image.
Europe recorded 40 anti-Christian crimes in June – report
According to the OIDAC Europe report, in June, arsons, vandalism, desecrations of shrines, and attacks on Christians were recorded in ten European countries.
Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese Names the Number of Mobilized and Fallen Clergy
According to the diocese, during the war 14 of its clergy and monastics were conscripted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine; two more are missing in action, and one deacon was killed.
In Poland, residents took to the streets to protest against a mosque in a residential building
In Kraków, residents spoke out against a Muslim prayer room that was operating in a residential building under the guise of a community center.
TCC Abducted a Protodeacon of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the UOC
The diocese reported that Protodeacon Bohdan Rudnychok was taken near his home after a church service and brought to the TCC in Rivne
MP calls strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra "beneficial"
The lawmaker said the strike on the monastery became a useful tool against the “routinization” of the war – one Ukraine should take advantage of.