Palestinian official: Bethlehem ‘too embarrassed’ to put up pictures of Trump

In stark contrast to Jerusalem, which is bedecked in pictures of Donald Trump and Americans flags hanging from seemingly every corner, not a single picture or message to Trump had been hoisted in the Bethlehem’s main square or streets as of Tuesday morning.

A spokesman for the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Ministry says officials have refrained from putting up pictures of Trump ahead of his visit because they would be “too embarrassed” to do so.

But spokesman Akram Alayasa, who was one of the over 100 people at a protest encampment in front of the Church of Nativity on Monday night, says they are still holding out hope for Trump.

“After eight years of Obama and his nice speeches, there is still nothing. Palestinians are wishing and hoping America will understand their cause,” he said.

— Dov Lieber