Israeli anti-Christmas measures in Bethlehem

Israel has banned Palestinian buses from entering Jerusalem during the upcoming Christmas season and as such has given a monopoly to Israeli bus companies to transport tourists to Bethlehem for Christmas.

A member of the Bethlehem 2000 celebration committee said the lack of permission for Palestinian tour bus operators to enter Jerusalem and transport some of this year's 15,000 pilgrims means that at least 200 Palestinians will be laid off and will lose their jobs.

Bus and taxi owners in Bethlehem have built on the potential businesses they hoped to conclude during this year's Christmas celebrations but with the latest Israeli measure, their hopes seem to have evaporated.