BETHLEHEM, West Bank -- Tourists, political leaders, activists and
residents of Bethlehem gathered in the city-center on Thursday, right in
front of the Nativity Church with an unusual message this year. While
December is usually a time for cheerful Christmas celebrations at the
Nativity, the people of Bethlehem have been unable to put aside the
political turmoil for the sake of the holiday.

With Christmas
just days away, the city of Bethlehem erected what they call a
"Resistance Tree." The tree, an olive tree which was recently uprooted
by Israeli forces from a nearby neighborhood, was placed in the center
of the main square, overlooking the towering Christmas tree and
historical Nativity church. Instead of baubles and tinsel, the
Resistance Tree was decorated with tear gas canisters clinking together
like bells, photos of Palestinians recently killed or detained,
Palestinian national scarves and sling shots.

At the "lighting
ceremony," the Mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Baboun spoke to the crowd, "This
tree is our message," Baboun said. "We plant our roots and we are
rooted to this land. Olive trees are the trees of life. We see our
people's eyes and the hopes of our women and the dreams of our men
reflected off this tree."

Around the tree, activists laid tear
gas canisters in the shape of a star, lighting candles from the metal
cylinders which were collected after protests in the city with Israeli
forces.

"Even with the Israelis speaking a language of death, we speak a language of life," the mayor proclaimed.

Video: Sheren Khalel and Abed al-Qaisi