Despite political conflict, Bethlehem remains the centre of Christian spirituality, especially at Christmas, says the Palestinian tourism minister.

In the northern West Bank Palestinian farmers face the threat of attacks and damage to their trees from Israeli settlers, in the Bethlehem they are denied access to their land.

Settlers' leaders confirm construction has begun on some 600 new housing units in the occupied West Bank since the Israeli settlement freeze ended.

Politicians need to focus on the human face of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, not their own political agendas, says a prominent churches' leader.