Israel refuses visas for Arab ministers en route to Palestine for Christmas holidays

Israel refused entry to five tourism ministers who planned to visit Palestine from various Arab states, a Palestinian Authority official said.

Israel refused to issue entry permits to five ministers who were expected to start arriving on Monday in order to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, PA Minister of Tourism Rula Maaya told Ma'an.

Among other events, Maaya said they were scheduled to attend the Christmas Eve midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site of Jesus' birth.

She said Israel is attempting to damage Palestinian industries, especially the tourism sector, which saw drastic growth this year.