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
Head of Germany’s largest media group: We must all become Zionists
The media executive urged Europeans to defend the Jewish state in order to preserve their own freedom and security.
Church сonsecrated after restoration in Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of UOC
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol performed the rite of great consecration and celebrated the first Liturgy in the renovated church.
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.