Very merry

Here's one of those obligatory annual stories of how Israel has ruined Christmas in Bethlehem, 2009 version.  No Christmas would be complete without them.

In the place where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, Christmas celebrations are taking place in the shadow of a concrete wall built by the Israelis to counter the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada.

Never mind that the real reason for the fence (only parts of it are a wall) is to counter this sort of thing.  Or that it's the Palestinian Authority and Hamas that have made life for so many Christians in Bethlehem (and elsewhere in the territories under their control) unbearable.  Or that, in spite of all that, Christmas in Bethlehem is doing just fine.

To all of those celebrating this holiday of peace on earth and good will toward men, a very Merry Christmas to you.

Shabbat Shalom.