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Bethlehem's Christmas lights switched off

Palestinians switched off Christmas lights at Jesus' traditional birthplace in Bethlehem on Wednesday night in protest against moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

A Christmas tree adorned with lights outside Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus was born, and another in Ramallah, next to the burial site of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, were plunged into darkness.

"The Christmas tree was switched off on the order of the mayor today in protest at Trump's decision," said Fady Ghattas, Bethlehem's municipal media officer.