JERUSALEM, Dec. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Some 5,000 Israelis and foreigners are expected to visit the West Bank city of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas, Israel Radio reported Friday.

    Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and temporary PNA President Rawhi Fattouh are also expected to visit the city on Christmas, the report cited Israel Defense Forces liaison chief in the city of Avi Feigel as saying.

    Bethlehem, just 8 km south of Jerusalem, is the birthplace of Jesus Christ and a holy site to Christians around the world.

    Although the city was turned over to the Palestinians under the1995 Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, it is actually controlled by Israel since the Israeli army put up checkpoints around it. Enditem