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
OCU thanks Novovolynsk mayor for transporting people to Dumenko's "service"
Supporters of the OCU sent gratitude to Mayor Borys Karpus for providing transportation to the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy comments on seizure in Kuzmyn
The seizure of the UOC church in Kuzmyn was based on forged documents about changing jurisdiction to the OCU.
Restoration of St Florus Convent: Former KCSA official reported suspicion
A former deputy general director of the Kyiv Scientific and Methodological Center for the Protection and Restoration of Monuments is suspected of embezzling 660 thousand hryvnias of budget funds.
Meeting of UOC Synodal Commission on canonization held in Kyiv
A meeting of the Synodal Commission of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, dedicated to the consideration of issues related to canonization, was held at the Presentation (Vvedensky) Monastery in Kyiv.
Archaeologists uncover 4th-century Christian church complex near Rome
In the ancient port city of Ostia near Rome, archaeologists have uncovered a large early Christian complex with a church and bishop's palace dating back to the 4th century.
Vance praises Georgian patriarch's work
The U.S. vice president spoke positively about the role of the primate of the Georgian Church in preserving Christian values in the country.