Israeli authorities have barred Hussein Al-Sheikh, the vice president of the Palestinian Authority, from attending the Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Al-Sheikh was assigned by President Mahmoud Abbas to represent him at the event, but his convoy was stopped from entering the city, which is traditionally recognized as the birthplace of Christ. This year's Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem are especially significant, as they are being held for the first time in two years following cancellations linked to the crisis in Gaza. The festivities have taken on a somber tone, with Manger Square displaying a nativity scene surrounded by rubble and barbed wire to symbolize the ongoing hardships faced by Palestinians. It remains unclear who from the Palestinian Authority will attend the midnight Mass, highlighting the ongoing restrictions and tensions in the region.