BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The two-state solution is in real danger due to Israel's "persistent violations and disregard for international law," said Palestinian Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah on Saturday evening.
The prime minister made the remarks on a Christmas ceremony in Bethlehem, during which he lit the Christmas tree at the Church of Nativity Square, marking the start of the Christmas celebrations.
"The Palestinian people still believe in the culture of coexistence, brotherhood and peace that Jesus carried out despite the settlement activities practiced by Israel," Hamdallah said.
He called on the whole world to take a united stance to end the longest occupation and injustice known to modern history "and to recognize the rights of our people and to recognize its state in particular."
"Israel is continuing to undermine any efforts to revive the peace process and to initiate laws that violate international law and unleash its army and settlers to seize our land and continue its violations," he added.
Mayor of Bethlehem Anton Salman said that Christmas in the city was "surrounded by the wall and besieged by the settlements on every side."
"As long as Bethlehem remains under Israeli occupation and is besieged by walls, settlements and barriers, peace will remain absent from the holy land," he said.
The city of Bethlehem is a destination for Christians around the world because here situated the Church of Nativity, which was built by Constantine the Great in 330 A.D. above a cave where Jesus was born.
It is believed that the Church of Nativity is the oldest church in the world.
