Скачать или смотреть Ramallah Christmas market brings back festive joy after 2 years of turmoil

(17 Dec 2025)
WEST BANK RAMALLAH CHRISTMAS MARKET

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 3:23

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ramallah, West Bank - 16 December 2025
1. Wide of Christmas market stalls surrounding a lit-up fountain
2. Mid of Christmas market stalls
3. Various of vendors arranging merchandise at Christmas market
4. Wide of families and visitors
5. Wide of vendor setting up a stall
6. Establish shot of Lubna Farhat, a member of the Ramallah Municipal Council
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Lubna Farhat, member of the Ramallah Municipal Council:
"The main goal is to bring back the Christmas spirit, as Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ. Despite difficult circumstances, we tried to do something that would bring joy to children and also help people who have their small businesses, especially those who make handmade crafts, to promote and sell products and earn their income. At the same time, we want the children and everyone to be happy, especially after two years of genocide, even though there's still a lingering sadness in our hearts."

8. Wide of market
9. Establish shot of Imad al-Dabai who came to the market from Nablus to visit market
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Imad al-Dabai, 34-years-old Nablus resident:
"I came from Nablus, and Ramallah is amazing in this atmosphere. I mean, the best place you can actually be in the West Bank is Ramallah. Bethlehem is a bit farther, but Ramallah, being centrally located, remains the closest place where you can visit, mix it up, and experience the Christmas season. It's really nice and definitely worth the trip."

11. Tilt up from sign for Shams handmade accessories to handicraft vendor, 28-years-old Hadeel Salameh
12. Close up of "Merry Christmas" handmade sign
13. Close up of bracelets
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hadeel Salameh, 28-years-old handicraft vendor from Ramallah:
"Unfortunately, circumstances remain very difficult. Economic conditions, and the impact of the war on people has been significant. However, I see this (market) as a way to create a little space for ourselves because we have the right to live and be happy. I noticed that people miss these exhibitions, which is why there is a great turnout in the Christmas. Honestly, it is very nice."

15. Various of Christmas market
16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Lubna Farhat, member of the Ramallah Municipal Council:
"We decided to limit the celebration to the municipality (building) and the municipal park. Not downtown for example, and we didn't decorate the whole town because we wanted convey a message. We love joy and want to make the children happy and the birth of Christ is an example of love and peace, but we still can't celebrate as we used to because of the sadness caused by the political situation."

17. Wide of children next to Christmas tree house
18. Various of a decorated Christmas tree
19. Wide of Christmas market
20. Wide of Ramallah Municipality building
STORYLINE:
For the past two Christmases, celebrations in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, have been muted due to the Israel -Hamas war.

But this year, the city is gearing up to welcome the festive season with a restored, but worn, spirit.

A Christmas market with over 50 booths bustled with families and was lit by strings of colorful lights synchronized with a fountain.

Handcrafted items ranging from bags to Christmas candles and even Santa hats brought a hopeful change in the Palestinian city that’s been reeling since war broke out in Gaza.



"There's still a lingering sadness in our hearts," she said.







AP video by Imad Isseid



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