BETHLEHEM, December 25, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas attended late Sunday night the midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.

The celebrations were also attended by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, the Maltese Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela, Jordanian Minister of Tourism Lina Annab, as well as ambassadors and consuls of a number of countries and representatives of Palestinian political factions and security services.

On Sunday, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Rev. Pierbattista Pizzaballa led the Christmas Eve procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem ushering in the Christmas celebrations.

The annual mass in Bethlehem attracts hundreds of tourists from around the world and is usually attended by President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.

M.N