Thousands Visit Bethlehem On Christmas Eve

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Thousands of pilgrims, tourists and local Christians have kicked off Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

Visitors gathered around the 50-foot (15-meter) Christmas tree at Manger Square on Saturday morning, taking pictures and enjoying the sunshine. The main event will be the Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus is believed to have been born.

Israel’s Tourism Ministry said it expects 90,000 visitors for the holiday. It said that number is surprisingly high considering the turmoil in the Arab world and the global economic downturn.

Today’s Bethlehem is surrounded on three sides by a barrier Israel built to stop Palestinian militant attacks. Palestinians say it has damaged their economy.