Palestinian protesters dressed as Father Christmas are tear gassed by Israeli troops as they demand access to Jerusalem to pray

Palestinian protesters dressed as Father Christmas had been tear gassed by the Israeli Military as fights broke out in Bethlehem yesterday.

Violence flared up within the West Financial institution metropolis revered because the birthplace of Jesus as demonstrators tried to succeed in close by Jerusalem. 

Palestinians stated they wished to go to holy websites there however with out permits they had been stopped at Israel's West Financial institution separation barrier.

Fury: One man in a Santa outfit was seen throwing a tear gasoline grenade again at Israelis

Down: One other was mendacity on the ground after inhaling the gasoline. No-one was killed within the scuffles

Video footage confirmed Israeli safety forces blocking the demonstrators on the Bethlehem checkpoint the place the scuffles erupted.

One man in a Santa outfit was seen throwing a tear gasoline grenade again at Israelis and one other was mendacity on the ground after inhaling the gasoline. No-one was killed.

One demonstrator, Fareed al Atrash, stated: 'We're right here in the present day to be able to attain Jerusalem for spiritual rituals. 

'We need to attain the Palestinian capital Jerusalem and we need to say that this land is a Palestinian land and it's our proper to succeed in our lands.' 

Anger: Palestinian protesters dressed as Santa Claus conflict with Israeli safety forces

Violence flared up in Bethlehem, revered because the birthplace of Jesus, as demonstrators tried to succeed in close by Jerusalem

Explosion: Protesters scarpered after Israeli troops let off a tear gasoline grenade

The organiser of the demonstration, Monther Amirah, stated in Arabic: 'We're on this protest to say that the occupation and the terrorism are two faces of the identical coin and we need to say to the entire world that the Palestinians are going through organised terrorism from the occupation and that we'll proceed to withstand this Nazi occupation.' 

No less than 231 Palestinians have been killed in violence in Israel, the occupied West Financial institution and the Gaza Strip since October 2015.

Israel says at the least 156 of them had been assailants in lone assaults typically concentrating on safety forces and utilizing rudimentary weapons together with kitchen knives. 

Palestinian protesters dressed as Santa Claus are injured after clashing with Israeli safety forces

Video footage confirmed Israeli safety forces blocking the demonstrators on the Bethlehem checkpoint the place the scuffles erupted

Palestinians stated they wished to go to holy websites in Jerusalem however with out permits they had been stopped at Israel's West Financial institution separation barrier

Others died throughout clashes and protests. The road assaults killed at the least 33 Israelis and two visiting Individuals over the identical interval.

Israel captured the West Financial institution within the 1967 Center East warfare.

The Palestinians need that territory, together with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for a future state. Peace talks between the perimeters broke down in 2014.

As we speak's scenes in Bethlehem supplied stark distinction as Christmas preparations had been in full swing with marching bands and clergy processing by means of the streets.  

A Palestinian bagpipe group marches at Manger Sq. throughout a Christmas Eve procession

A Palestinian drum band marches at Manger Sq.

Christian clergy line up at Manger Sq. to participate in a Christmas Eve procession resulting in the Church of the Nativity

A Christian clergyman prays within the 'Grotto' of the Church of Nativity within the West Financial institution metropolis of Bethlehem

Christian clergymen pray and rejoice the Morning Mass within the 'Grotto' of the Church of Nativity

Christian nuns cross by as Palestinian presidential safety personnel gathers in entrance of a large Christmas tree put in on Manger Sq. in Bethlehem

A Palestinian bagpiper band marches alongside Manger Sq. neqar the Church of the Nativity

Christian clergy line up at Manger Sq. to participate in a Christmas Eve procession

Apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, proceeds to Manger Sq.

Palestinian presidential safety personnel jumps from a jeep as they're deployed on Manger Sq.

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