Bethlehem: Woodcraftsmen struggle to keep Xmas tradition alive

As tourists begin to arrive in Bethlehem, Palestinian craftspeople are hoping that a difficult year will end well.

Hand-carved wooden mangers and statues made in Bethlehem are sought-after around the world.

But the centuries-old trade is under threat because the Christian population is dwindling in the Israeli-occupied Holy Land.

However, that is creating an opportunity for Palestinian artisans.

 

Al Jazeera’s Natasha Ghoneim reports from Bethlehem.