Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh touched on Christmas celebrations in Palestine despite the Israeli occupation and the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Shtayyeh said Palestinians celebrate Christmas by decorating trees with lights that symbolize hope, which all religions call for.

He also expressed that everyone wishes to live in peace on the basis of truth, justice, and human dignity.

The Palestinian Prime Minister mentioned that Christmas celebrations in Palestine bring joy and unite Palestinians, while the Israeli occupation separates them through checkpoints, the separation wall surrounding Al-Quds and Beit Lahm, and the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Shtayyeh added that there are upcoming events in Palestine that instill hope, such as the convening of the Central Council, the eighth conference of the Fatah Movement, and the second phase of the local elections.

The Palestinian Prime Minister's statements came during his speech on behalf of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, at a Christmas dinner that was held Friday at the Franciscan Monastery in Beit Lahm in the presence of several diplomatic and religious figures.

On Friday, Palestinian Christians celebrated Christmas amid the Coronavirus pandemic in accordance with the health protocol. 

This year, the Israeli occupation allowed only 468 Christians from the Gaza Strip to participate in the celebrations.

Read more: No Christmas where Christ was born