Christmas Spirit (?) at the AP

Here’s how Sarah El Deeb reported on Christmas in Bethlehem for the Associated Press:

Thousands of tourists flocked to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations Saturday, bringing a long-missing sense of holiday cheer to Jesus’ historic birthplace.

The festivities capped the most peaceful year since the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in September 2000. But
Israel’s imposing separation barrier at the entrance to town dampened the Christmas spirit and provided a stark reminder of the unresolved conflict.

Hmm… could it be that it was exactly the building of that fence that created the diminution of terrorism in Bethlehem and allowed the pilgrims to come? Nah. Impossible. Not in the world according to the Associated Press anyway.