Mary, Queen of Palestine, from the Deir Rafat Sanctuary
Christians from Bethlehem, Ramallah and other cities in the Palestinian Territory unite with Christians from different parts of Israel and celebrate a great feast in honor of Mary, Queen of Palestine.
live streaming- Mary, Queen of Palestine, from the Deir Rafat Sanctuary
Christians from Bethlehem, Ramallah and other cities in the Palestinian Territory unite with Christians from different parts of Israel and celebrate a great feast in honor of Mary, Queen of Palestine
A Visit to The Church of The Nativity, Bethlehem, Palestine
Hi, I am an Instagrammar @thesavvypilgrim and have just started making travel films. I travel to soulful places that help me deepen my connection with my soul. I always travel solo and connect with photographers and video film-makers locally (to the destination I travel) to create content. I hope you enjoy my short film on my visit to The Church of The Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine.
Credits:
Creator/Director: Gunjan Virk (
Voiceover: Ruchi Kapoor (
Piano and vocals: Katie Norris (
Costume:
Special thanks:
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I was standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with the splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices I know well, telling each other of the Saviour's birth. Excerpt from: Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins
It was a quiet winter morning when I drove into Bethlehem with my guide. Bethlehem is situated 10 kilometers south of the city of Jerusalem, in the hill country of the Holy Land. Since the 2nd century AD, people have believed that the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, contains the cave-manger site where Jesus was born.
Driving from Jerusalem, we stopped at the Israel-Palestine border to change cars. It is not allowed to drive an Israeli vehicle in areas under full Palestine control. In about half an hour, we arrived at the Church of Nativity inside the town of Bethlehem.
I was filled with an incredible sense of awe as I entered the church through its small entrance door and beheld with my own eyes the birthplace of Jesus. The Grotto of the Nativity, the place where it is believed that Jesus was born, is an underground space that forms the crypt of the church. It is situated underneath the main altar and can be accessed by two staircases located on either side of the sanctuary. One can feel an intense vibration of peace upon climbing down to the grotto. The exact spot where Jesus was born is marked by a 14-pointed silver star. Crowds of pilgrims waiting for hours in line take turns as they kneel down to touch this holy spot and take their blessing.
The present Church of the Nativity was built in the mid-6th century AD and is the oldest Christian church in daily use.
I finished my visit to Bethlehem by buying souvenirs in the local market and then driving to the Israel-Palestine ( or West Bank as it is called) wall, covered by artwork from Banksy.
The Catholic Midnight Mass in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve is broadcast worldwide. The Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by a parade of youth organizations, makes his way to Manger Square, amid crowds of pilgrims traveling from different corners of the world. After leading the Mass at the Catholic Church of Saint Catherine, he places an icon of Jesus as a child on the star in the holy cave that marks the Nativity site in the Church of Nativity.
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Lyrics O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
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#churchofthenativity #bethlehem #olittletownofbethlehem
WRAP Israel starts renovation near disputed holy site; clashes in Bethlehem
Bethlehem, West Bank
1. People marching, carrying flags
2. People throwing stones
3. Israeli soldiers throwing tear gas at protestors
4. Various of protest
Jerusalem
5. Wide shot of Old City, Al-Aqsa mosque
6. Tractor of construction site
7. Long shot of policemen at site
8. People watching
9. Construction at site
10. Close-up on policeman
11. Various of security
Gaza City, Gaza Strip
12. Set-up shot of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh
13. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister:
While we are going to holly Mecca, the Israeli occupation's bulldozers are going to demolish a wall near Mughrabi Bridge in Jerusalem. I call upon all our Palestinian people to be united and to rise united in order to defend Al-Aqsa mosque and the holy places on holy Palestinian land.
14. End shot of Haniyeh
STORYLINE:
Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators clashed in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Tuesday over Israeli renovation work near a disputed holy site in Jerusalem's Old City.
At least 200 Palestinians marched toward the checkpoint leading into Jerusalem, throwing stones and empty bottles and shouting slogans about the holy site, which is known as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews.
Israeli soldiers, in an effort to keep the riot away from the crossing, shot tear gas in response. No injuries were immediately reported.
Palestinians have warned that the work to renovate a walkway leading up to the mount will inflame tensions.
The Israel Antiquities Authority says it is carrying out the archaeological work ahead of the construction of a new pedestrian ramp leading up to the compound, which has been the scene of clashes in the past.
The original earthen walkway was damaged in a snowstorm three years ago.
The Antiquities Authority's work reportedly entailed digging at the ramp to ensure the renovation work does not damage any archaeological artifacts found at the site.
Israeli officials said the work poses no danger to the holy site however Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister said the Israeli occupation's bulldozers are going to demolish a wall near Mughrabi Bridge in Jerusalem.
Police prevented tourists from entering the site, and restricted access for Muslim men to Israeli Arabs and east Jerusalem residents over the age of 45.
For Palestinians, no symbol is more emotive than the Noble Sanctuary, where Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven in a night time journey recounted in the Quran, the Muslim holy book. The compound houses Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock shrine.
Jews revere the compound as the site of their two ancient temples.
When Israel opened a tunnel alongside the compound in 1996, it sparked clashes that killed 80 people. In 2000, then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the site.
The next day, riots erupted, launching the second intifada (uprising) and a sustained period of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
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WRAP Israel starts renovation near disputed site; clashes in Bethlehem; WBank, Gaza
SHOTLIST
Qalandiya, West Bank
1. Youths throwing stones
2. Israeli soldier hurling canister
3. Israeli soldier firing gun
4. Youths throwing stones, UPSOUND: Gunfire
5. Israeli soldier firing gun
6. Youths running away
Gaza City, Gaza Strip
7. Wide of Islamic Jihad demonstration
8. Islamic Jihad demonstration, person holds up picture of Al-Aqsa mosque
9. Various of Islamic Jihad demonstration
10. Back shot of Islamic Jihad demonstration
11. Various of Hamas demo
12. Wide pan of Hamas demo
Bethlehem, West Bank
13. Various of people marching, carrying flags
14. People throwing stones
15. Israeli soldiers throwing tear gas at protestors
Jerusalem
16. Wide shot of Old City, Al-Aqsa mosque
17. Various of tractor of construction site
18. Construction at site
STORYLINE
Israeli security forces and Palestinian youths in the West Bank town of Qalandiya clashed on Tuesday over new works on a centuries-old walkway that leads to a holy site disputed by Muslims and Jews.
AP Television News showed pictures of an Israeli soldier firing what appeared to be rubber bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian youths.
No injuries were immediately reported.
The work in Jerusalem is nearby the site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
Palestinians have warned that the work to renovate a walkway leading up to the mount will inflame tensions and have accused the Israelis of trying to damage the site.
The Israel Antiquities Authority says it is carrying out the archaeological work ahead of the construction of a new pedestrian ramp leading up to the compound, which has been the scene of clashes in the past.
Meanwhile in Gaza City, militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad held separate demonstrations to protest against the works.
Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators also took place in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.
At least 200 Palestinians marched to the checkpoint leading towards Jerusalem, throwing stones and empty bottles and shouting slogans.
Israeli soldiers, in an effort to keep the riot away from the crossing, shot tear gas in response.
No injuries were immediately reported.
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DIY Destinations - Palestine / Palestinian Territories Budget Travel Show | Full Episode
This special episode of DIY Destinations featuring occupied Palestine, and its FREE and inexpensive, must-see attractions from the North to the South, including from understanding the importance and visiting oldest olive tree in al-Walaja, the birthplace of Jesus in Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, and retracing his footstep in Wadi Qelt to Jericho along the way visiting St. George Monastery and Mount of Temptation, Hisham's Palace and Herod's Palace. We'll also visit Aida Refugee Camps to see the realty of life under military occupation and Al-Shuhada Street. We'll also sample the street food and sweet Kanafeh in Nablus and experience Turkish bath. In Jenin, we'll visit Cinema Jenin Project and famous largest oldest church in the world in Burgin's St. George Church. All done safely, inexpensive and easily!
Our mission is to create a free publicly funded travel series that is delivered through streaming and file sharing sites. Our goal is to take fear out of traveling and inspire our audience to go far and explore the magnificent planet earth inexpensive and safely.
We want all of us to creating connections with new people, experiencing other cultures and gaining a greater understanding of each other by offer a unique perspective of traveling on a budget.
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God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman & Bethlehem Images
Images from Bethlehem and surrounding areas in the Middle East, organized as if you were traveling to the birthplace of Jesus. Wonderful Irish song with Middle Eastern theme music. Song by Loreena McKennitt played with Very unique and beautiful music. Merry Christmas!
I do not own any music or images. All rights belong to original owners.
Sanctuary in the Holy Land gives comfort to hard working donkeys
Taybe
1. Wide shot of Donkey rest station
2. Close up of sign reading donkey rest station in English, Arabic and Hebrew
3. Lucy Fensom, founder of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, walking over to donkey
UPSOUND (English) We need to take everything off him and bring him in.
4. Donkey receiving medical treatment
5. Donkey eating hay
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lucy Fensom, Founder of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land:
Classic example of what we see so many times, it''s ill fitting harnessing basically that''s just rubbed raw wounds as you can see on the donkey''s back and legs and chest area.
7. Pan to donkey''s wounds
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Lucy Fensom, Founder of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land:
This little donkey, his owner''s been using someone else''s harness so that''s why, because it''s not fitting properly it''s caused these wounds.
Safe Haven donkey sanctuary - Israel
9. Tilt down from sun to Lucy feeding donkey
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lucy Fensom, founder of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land:
I think that in the Middle East specifically the donkey is just seen as being an animal who is unintelligent, stupid, and for that reason people like to sort of like put him with their so-called enemy, they like to synonymies it with something they don''t like.
FILE - Bethlehem - 23 October 2000
11. Donkey daubed with Israeli flag and name of former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak walking between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians throwing stones
12. Israeli soldier firing gun
13. Donkey in front of stone throwers
Safe Haven donkey sanctuary, Israel
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Lucy Fensom, founder of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land:
We see these terrible situations where there''s donkeys inside the Palestinian areas, they''re painted with the Israeli flag, they''re used as living bombs to go towards Israeli soldier checkpoints, that kind of thing.
Jerusalem
15. Worker shovelling gravel into bucket and tipping it into donkey''s saddle bags
16. Another worker loading cement blocks onto a donkey
17. Man hitting loaded donkey with stick leading it down the street
Bethlehem, West Bank
18. Various of boy riding on donkey loaded with fire wood
Jerusalem
19. Donkey loaded with cement blocks being led down street, nearly tripping
Safe Haven donkey sanctuary, Israel
20. Various of Fensom collecting carrots from ground and feeding donkeys
21. SOUNDBITE (English) Lucy Fensom, founder of Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land:
All throughout history donkeys have served man, to work for him, donkeys have always been abused all throughout history. As we all know Jesus used a donkey to ride from Bethlehem to Jerusalem at Easter time, the Jewish people believe the Messiah will come on a donkey and I just think at this time especially, now it''s Easter for the Christians, it''s Passover for the Jewish people, we''re here in the Holy Land, it''s a time where we should perhaps think that little bit extra about donkeys and how they''ve always served man and what they do for us, ok not for all of us but for many people still living in the Holy Land today, they are a vital means for their everyday livelihood so I think at this time, well at all times, you need to remember them and give them that respect.
Taybe
22. Man ''parking'' donkey cart
23. Fensom going to injured donkey and washing wounded leg
24. Various of Fensom washing donkey''s legs
25. Close up of wound; pan to Fensom leading donkey to rest station
26. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Fares (no family name given), donkey driver:
The cart turned over on her and she slipped, it was loaded with iron and it skidded on the water, then every time they hit her, they wounded her.
Safe Haven donkey sanctuary, Israel
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George Mason: How to visit Bethlehem
Excerpt from a sermon on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. George Mason tells what is required today to visit the likely birthplace of Jesus at Manger Square in Bethlehem. Everybody must enter the same way.
BETHLEHEM: CLASHES BETWEEN ISRAELI AND PALESTINIANS
Natural Sound
At least three Palestinians were killed on Friday and scores of people were injured in a second day of clashes at a bitterly disputed shrine in Jerusalem.
Following the violence, where Israeli police fired live rounds and rubber bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian worshipers, clashes spread to other areas including the biblical town of Bethlehem.
Near Rachel's tomb, the classical Bethlehem location where Palestinian and Israelis clashed throughout the Intifafa, crowds of Palestinians threw stones at Israeli troops who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Ambulances raced to the scene to collect and treat the injured.
The violence comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and at a time of deadlock in peace treaty talks.
The holy site in Jerusalem is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, site of their former biblical Temple, Judaism's holiest shrine, and to Muslims as Haram as-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary, Islam's third holiest shrine and home to two major mosques that mark the spot where tradition says Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
On Thursday morning, Israel's hawkish opposition leader, Ariel Sharon, toured the site in Jerusalem.
The visit, intended to demonstrate that Israel controls the site, infuriated Palestinians and sparked clashes that left dozens of police and stone throwers injured.
Palestinians blamed Sharon for Friday's violence.
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Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem - the grotto. The place where Jesus was born February 2015
Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera
zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522
My name is Zahi Shaked
In 2000 I became a registered liscenced tourist guide.
My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land.
Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity.
In order to fulfill this calling in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters)
Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, glide over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and see the miracle which enfolds before us. This is a many faceted experience. Not only history which you will remember and cherish, but an experience which I hope will be inplanted in your hearts and minds, and will accompany you all the days of your life.
Betheleem by Drone | Church of the Nativity | Birthplace of Jesus
The Church of the Nativity is a basilica located in Bethlehem, West Bank. The church was originally commissioned in 327 by Constantine the Great and his mother Helena over the site that is still traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.
Abraham's Hebron Then and Now, Part 3: Jacob’s Well and the Tombs of Joseph and Rachel
The purpose of this five-part series of videos is to provide a brief introduction to some of the places linked in tradition to the lives of the family of Abraham and Sarah. Many, though not all, of the sites we will visit are in or near the city of Hebron. Hebron and surrounding areas served as somewhat of a hub for Abraham in his many journeys.
This third presentation will first take us northward in the West Bank for a visit to the traditional sites of Jacob’s Well and the Tomb of Joseph.
Israeli bureaucracy chokes investment in Palestinian territories
Israeli bureaucracy is choking the economies of Gaza and the West Bank.
Due to a complicated system, businesses in the Palestinian territories struggle to receive funding.
According to the World Bank, private investment in the Palestinian territories is the lowest in the world.
Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith reports from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
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The endless line to the Grotto of the Nativity. Church of the Nativity of Christ, Bethlehem
Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522
My name is Zahi Shaked
In 2000 I became a registered liscenced tourist guide.
My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land.
Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity.
In order to fulfill this calling in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters)
Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, glide over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and see the miracle which enfolds before us. This is a many faceted experience. Not only history which you will remember and cherish, but an experience which I hope will be inplanted in your hearts and minds, and will accompany you all the days of your life.
MIDDLE EAST: VIOLENT CLASHES LATEST (2)
Natural Sound
XFA
The violence is escalating in the West Bank, Gaza strip and in Jerusalem as thousands of Palestinians battle with Israeli soldiers.
The worst violence occurred near the West Bank town of Nablus, where Israeli troops and a small group of masked Palestinian gunmen traded fire.
That battle erupted as thousands of angry Palestinians marched toward an Israeli army checkpoint.
It's not clear how many people were hurt in that confrontation.
But the Palestinian Authority says about 280 people have been hurt overall in today's clashes.
Doctors say one Palestinian was killed.
In Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians marched toward the isolated Jewish settlements of Kfar Darom and Netzarim and hurled stones at Israeli troops who responded with rubber bullets and some live rounds.
Protesters flung several fire bombs at the gate of Kfar Darom.
At least 25 Palestinians were injured.
Clashes also erupted in the West Bank towns of Hebron and Bethlehem.
Crowds of Palestinians threw stones and rocks at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Clouds of black smoke filled the air from burning tyres.
The Palestinian Authority called for a general strike on Saturday to protest the four Palestinians killed at a bitterly disputed shrine in Jerusalem, sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
The four were killed when Israeli riot police opened fire on stone-throwers at the site, which Jews call the Temple Mount and Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary.
Some 175 other people were wounded.
The Palestinians have accused the Israeli government of igniting a religious war.
Earlier on Saturday, a gun battle erupted Saturday between masked Palestinians and Israeli troops, as thousands of rock-throwing rioters clashed with soldiers across the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem in what Palestinian leaders said was a religious war over a bitterly contested Jerusalem shrine.
About 280 demonstrators were injured, according to the Red Crescent Society, including one who was comatose with a bullet wound in the head.
In clashes at the compound Friday, six Palestinians were killed and close to 200 wounded.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders traded angry accusations, signalling that in the current tense climate it will be very difficult to conclude a peace treaty.
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Israel/Palestine
israel palestine gaza jerusalem tel aviv gopro trip 2015 masada dead sea jesus jewish western wall dome of the rock
The Illegal Israeli Wall - What You Need to Know in 90 seconds
The Palestinian Wall explained in 90 seconds.
You may have heard about it, may have even seen images about it. But do you really know anything about the wall? Or how it is being built on Palestinian land and around Palestinian cities? When it was made? And how it effects every single Palestinian in some shape or form. Well in 90 seconds you will.
Friends of Al-aqsa a British non-profit NGO campaigning to defend the human rights of Palestinians and protect the sacred al-Aqsa Sanctuary.
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Palestinians, Muslims worldwide hold 'Day of Rage' over Jerusalem
BREAKING NEWS DAILY Channel Reporting latest news and top stories around the world 24/7. We sharing news from most respected major newspapers such as Reuters, BBC, CNN, Fox News, ABC News, USA Today, New York Times, Huffington Post etc, voiced by Artificial Intelligence.
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TEXT VERSION OF ARTICLE: Thousands of Palestinians protested in a “day of rage” on Friday in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and in East Jerusalem against U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of the ancient city as Israel’s capital. Across the Arab and Muslim worlds, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets on Friday, the Muslim holy day, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians and outrage at the U.S. move. As Friday prayers ended at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, worshippers made their way toward the walled Old City gates, chanting “Jerusalem is ours, Jerusalem is our capital,” and “We don’t need empty words, we need stones and Kalashnikovs”. Some scuffles broke out between protesters and police.
Trump’s decision to reverse decades of U.S. policy and recognize Jerusalem has been met by days of protests, although violence so far has largely been contained.
By midday Friday there had been no reports of deaths in two days of demonstrations in the Palestinian territories. Thirty-one Palestinians were wounded on Thursday.
Clashes began in some spots of the West Bank after Friday prayers, though the unrest appeared less intense than the previous day. In Hebron and Bethlehem dozens of Palestinians threw stones at Israeli soldiers who fired back with tear gas.
In Gaza, calls for worshippers to protest sounded over mosque loudspeakers and dozens of youths burnt tires on the main streets of the enclave, controlled by the Islamist Hamas group, and hundreds rallied toward the border with Israel. Hamas has called for a new Palestinian uprising like the “intifadas” of 1987-1993 and 2000-2005 that together saw thousands of Palestinians and more than 1,000 Israelis killed. “Whoever moves his embassy to occupied Jerusalem will become an enemy of the Palestinians and a target of Palestinian factions,” said Hamas leader Fathy Hammad as protesters in Gaza burnt posters of Trump. “We declare an intifada until the liberation of Jerusalem and all of Palestine.”Trump’s announcement on Wednesday has infuriated the Arab world and upset Western allies. The status of Jerusalem has been one of the biggest obstacles to a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians for generations. Israel considers all of Jerusalem to be its capital. Palestinians want the eastern part of the city as the capital of a future independent state of their own. Most countries consider East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed, to be occupied territory, including the Old City, home to sites considered holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. For decades, Washington, like most of the rest of the international community, held back from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, arguing that its status should be determined as part of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. No other country has its embassy there.
The Trump administration argues that the peace process has become moribund, and outdated policies need to be jettisoned for the sides in the conflict to make progress. In Ramallah, the seat of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, the leader’s religious affairs adviser said Trump’s stance was an affront to Islam and Christianity alike.
“America has chosen to elect a President that has put it in enmity with all Muslims and Christians,” said the advisor, Mahmoud al-Habbash.
Israeli police increased their presence in Jerusalem but set no extra restrictions on access for worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying they had no indication of unrest there, a sign they anticipated confrontation to be limited. Police regularly impose age restrictions at the site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, when they anticipate major unrest. In Iran, which has never recognized Israel and supports anti-Israel militants, demonstrators burned pictures of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while chanting “Death to the Devil”. Opposition to the U.S. move has united Iran’s pragmatist faction, which supports greater openness to the outside world, behind hardliners that oppose it. In Cairo, capital of Egypt, a U.S. ally which has a peace treaty with Israel, hundreds of protesters who had gathered in Al-Azhar mosque and outside in its courtyard chanted “Jerusalem is Arab! O Trump, you madman, the Arab people are everywhere!”
The imam leading Friday prayer at Al-Azhar said the U.S. plan to move its embassy to Jerusalem was a “terrorist decision” that would add another settlement to those of Israel.
Thousands also took to the streets in Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, where authorities tightened security around U.S. embassies.
Christians in Gaza City get ready to celebrate Christmas
Christians all over the Palestinian territories are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, with the recent events in the Gaza Strip still fresh in their memory. A few of them gathered inside the Latin church in Gaza City on Tuesday for a small concert, organized as part of a Baroque festival.Duration: 00:39