The Gaza Strip Christians have been banned by the Israeli occupation authorities from visiting holy cities like Bethlehem and Jerusalem to celebrate Christmas this year.
A spokeswoman for Israel’s military liaison has said that Gazan Christians are allowed to have permits to travel abroad but none will be allowed to go to the 1948 occupied territories or the West Bank.
The spokeswoman added that based on “security orders” Gazans would be allowed to travel abroad through Allenby (King Husein Bridge) with Jordan but not to visit cities in the 1948 occupied territories or the West Bank.
The case last year was different as Israel issued permits for about 700 Gazan Christians to travel to Jerusalem Bethlehem Nazareth and other holy cities that draw thousands of pilgrims each holiday season.
