Mini boom in Bethlehem: Christmas tourism at highest level since the latest Palestinian uprising began - je 24.12.2007 8

The tiny Christian community in Gaza will be keeping a low profile this Christmas after a prominent activist was killed there in the wake of the Hamas takeover. Most of them say they will travel to the West Bank to the church of the holy nativity in Bethlehem - reputed to be Jesus' birthplace. The town is seeing a mini boom in Christmas tourism this year despite its location along the contentious Israeli Palestinian border. Locals say visitor numbers are at their highest level since the latest Palestinian uprising began.