Christians from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas. The festivities were marked with marching Palestinian bands, concerts and the coming of the Latin Patriarch, a yearly ritual where he makes his pilgrimage from Jerusalem al Quds to Bethlehem to conduct prayers in the Church of Nativity. However the Palestinian Minister of Tourism Rula Ma\\\'ay\\\'a explained to me that although thousands of Christians are coming from around the world to Bethlehem for Christmas, there are serious challenges for people living in Gaza, as Israel often banned them from entering Bethlehem. Show Less >>