Israel Allows Only 55 Gazan Christians to Visit Jerusalem for Christmas

Christmas in Manger Square – the famous tree
Christmas in Manger Square – the famous tree

Israeli occupation authorities have allowed only a few dozen Gazan Christians to visit Jerusalem in the West Bank for Christmas.

"Israeli occupation authorities only approved and granted permits to to 55 out of 600 requests to enter the West Bank and Jerusalem".

Kamel Ayyad, the director of public relations for the Orthodox Church in Gaza, told dpa

The wait is ongoing for approval of the remaining requests.

So the greatest number of Christians waits to celebrate Christmas in the West Bank, he added.

Israeli occupation authorities only granted three minors entry, as well as 47 elderly people.

Some 1,000 Christians reside in Gaza.

Gaza is under a tight blockade by Israel after the Hamas movement took control of the territory in 2007.

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