PHOTOS: Palestinian Santa Clauses clash with Border Police in Bethlehem

Protesters held up posters with messages such as ‘For Christmas I want every Palestinian child back home.’

By Anne Paq and Mustafa Bader / Activestills.org

Palestinian protesters disguised as Santa Claus march during clashes between Palestinian youths and the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)
Palestinian protesters dressed up as Santa Claus march during clashes between Palestinian youths and the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

A week before Christmas, Palestinians dressed up as Santa Claus marched toward the separation wall in Bethlehem last Friday, where they clashed with Israeli Border Police.

Palestinians dressed up as Santa Claus demonstrate at the separation wall, Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)
Palestinians dressed up as Santa Claus demonstrate at the separation wall, Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

The protesters chanted slogans and held up posters with messages such as “For Christmas I want every Palestinian child back home,” in reference to the children who have been arrested by Israeli soldiers over the past two months.

Palestinians disguised as Santa Claus confront Israeli soldiers during a protest against the occupation in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)
Palestinians dressed up as Santa Claus confront Israeli soldiers during a protest against the occupation in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)

The nonviolent Santa Claus march was dispersed with tear gas, after which young men from Bethlehem began throwing stones at the police officers, who fired more tear gas, along with rubber-coated bullets and live fire. At least three Palestinians were wounded.

Palestinians disguised as santa Claus shout slogans next to Israeli border policemen during a protest against the occupation in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Anne Paq/Activestills.org)
Palestinians disguised as santa Claus shout slogans next to Israeli border policemen during a protest against the occupation in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, December 18, 2015. (photo: Mustafa Bader/Activestills.org)