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Several thousand Christian pilgrims on Wednesday flocked to the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations at the traditional birthplace of Jesus, lifting spirits after a year of conflict and failed peace efforts.
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed last spring, and Israel battled Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip during a 50-day war over the summer.
“Our message this Christmas is a message of peace like every year, but what we added this year is that all we want from Christmas is justice” said Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah.
Police and local officials said just 4,500 international tourists visited Bethlehem this year, less than half last year’s number.
